Anywhere But Here

Seattle Post-Intelligencer William Arnold

Susan Sarandon has never been more outrageously appealing. Natalie Portman is simply exquisite.

San Francisco Examiner Wesley Morris

A monumentally graceful union of two extremely dissimilar stars, one inspired cinematographer and an exceptionally patient, curious, independent-minded director.

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

These are real characters, fully observed, gutsily written, beautifully acted by the two leads.

TNT RoughCut Christopher Brandon

Sarandon and Portman have sizzling electricity that makes every funny, touching or sad moment between them seem even more fascinating than the last.

Portland Oregonian Diana Abu-Jaber

A smart study of the identity-shredding inherent in so much dissatisfaction and relocation.

The New York Times Janet Maslin

Wang once again works splendidly with actresses, and boy, does he have a lot to work with this time.

Washington Post Stephen Hunter

So closely observed, so funny and so true to the junk that is everybody's real--as opposed to movie--life that it comes to feel like some kind of a miracle.

San Francisco Chronicle Edward Guthmann

Sarandon and Portman work beautifully -- together, negotiating a range of emotional keys that blend comedy and drama in the same moment.

Miami Herald Rene Rodriguez

Light on plot but heavy on observation: Wang concentrates on exploring the unseen ways in which mother and daughter rely on each other.

Boston Globe Jay Carr

Aims its big, bold mother-daughter conflicts straight at the heart by way of the tear ducts, and connects.

New York Daily News Jami Bernard

An actress' dream.

Baltimore Sun Ann Hornaday

A quietly resonant movie about the painful alliance between single mothers and their daughters, and the complicated drama of separation.

New York Post Lou Lumenick

Well worth seeing for the incandescent Portman.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

The movie's interest is not in the plot, which is episodic and "colorful," but in the performances.

Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt

The story is a sort of "Stella Dallas Meets Slums of Beverly Hills," helped by heartfelt acting from its talented stars.

Mr. Showbiz Kevin Maynard

You could do a lot worse than spend two hours in the company of two such talented actresses.

Newsweek Jeff Giles

Portman gives a superb, understated performance as a teen who gets whiplash from watching her mother's mood swings.

Philadelphia Inquirer Steven Rea

Corny and blubbery as it is, still packs an emotional wallop.

USA Today Susan Wloszczyna

It's terrific to see such well-matched actresses of opposing generations duke it out.

Film.com Robert Horton

This relationship might be strong enough to carry an observational novel, but the movie feels like it's missing something.

LA Weekly Ella Taylor

Compared to the glib, pandering rosiness of most current chick-flicks, Anywhere but Here is a class act.

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

What's missing from this by-the-numbers drama is a sense of abandon.

Chicago Reader Lisa Alspector

Poor execution sometimes points up the difference between the telling of a story and the story itself--in this case, without diminishing the power of the latter.

Film.com John Hartl

The ride in this road movie isn't always as smooth as it could be, but even the bumps have some charm.

TV Guide Ken Fox

Lacks the real emotional wallop these two fine actresses...seem ready to provide.

Austin Chronicle Steve Davis

Strives to depict its love-hate relationship in emotionally neutral terms, but the sympathies are ultimately lopsided.

Variety Emanuel Levy

With half a dozen roles to her credit, Portman is a natural performer who brings rough edges to any role she plays -- the movie is inconceivable without her.

Rolling Stone Peter Travers

Formula mother-brat stuff...It's only the deft teamwork of Portman and Sarandon that keeps the triteness at bay.

Salon.com Mary Elizabeth Williams

Despite its stellar leading ladies, Anywhere But Here is still a predictable generation-gap drama.

Dallas Observer Jean Oppenheimer

Slick, glossy, and artificial.

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

While adapting accomplished fiction such as this is a lure Hollywood can never resist, some characters breathe better on the page, and that is the case here.

Time Richard Schickel

What it doesn't have is a central figure you can give a hoot about.

Film.com Gemma Files

Sarandon prostitutes her blazing talent and sharp political sensibility to the service of a pile of misogynistic bullflop.