Traveller

Variety Emanuel Levy

The film shrewdly humanizes its protagonists to the point where the audience forgets their identity and roots for them to succeed - and survive.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

The screenplay by Jim McGlynn, which plays a little like something Eastwood might have made, is subtle and observant; there aren't big plot points, but lots of little ones, and the plot allows us the delight of figuring out the scams. [25 Apr 1997]

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

This fresh and interesting story about a tight-knit clan of Irish grifters in the rural South who make their living scamming is a ''con men on the road'' picture all the more welcome during a season of junky action thrillers and indie-style explorations of kinky sex.

ReelViews James Berardinelli

The script is smart and sneaky - by never telling the audience more than is necessary, it develops a keen sense of suspense that persists until the gritty final reel.

TV Guide Staff (Not Credited)

Paxton (who also produced) and Marguiles turn in fine, affecting performances, Wahlberg is better than you might expect, and the story is powered by a knock-out soundtrack.

Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum

The subject's nice - a clan of Irish con artists operating in the rural south - but the movie breaks down into separate pieces, some fresher than others, without much cumulative force.

Washington Post Richard Harrington

Green proves adept at capturing the quiet intensity and peculiar rhythms of Traveller culture.

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

Green wisely gives his actors lots of room to work, all the while putting the emphasis on the characters and their relationships instead of the blurry hokum of the narrative threads.

Boston Globe Jay Carr

Traveller is a little too rosy and pat, but it clambers its way to entertainment value all the same. [2 May 1997]

Chicago Tribune John Petrakis

Traveller is a low-key, intelligent examination of some fascinating people who must do plenty of fast talking just to survive. [25 Apr 1997]

San Francisco Examiner Barbara Shulgasser

Directing his first movie, Jack Green, cinematographer on several Clint Eastwood films, shows an ease with the material (written by Jim McGlynn), but there's something a bit dull about the movie.

The New York Times Janet Maslin

Traveller is just a hot little sleeper with strong characters and a story to tell.

LA Weekly Ernest Hardy

It's fine acting of - and chemistry - between Paxton, Margulies and Mark Wahlberg that gives this film (written by Jim McGlynn, directed by Jack Green) its kick.

Baltimore Sun Michael Ollove

The narrative is engrossing enough, but it diverts from what is strongest about Traveller, its title characters. [2 May 1997]

San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle

Traveller is entertaining in a mild, relaxing way.

Los Angeles Times John Anderson

The cast is really fine, but the script requires a lot of hard swallowing. The story moves along briskly and colorfully but gets further and further from the intimate atmosphere that initially makes it so appealing. [25 Apr 1997]

Portland Oregonian Tim Appelo

Traveller does pass the time painlessly, and it isn't aggressively stupid or hateful, like about half the movies Hollywood makes nowadays. But someone must have stolen its engine - this film has no narrative drive. [p May 1997]

Dallas Observer Peter Rainer

[The movie's subject] sounds like great movie material, but the film, except in flashes, doesn't do it justice.

Empire Staff (Not Credited)

With such strong acting support from Paxton and Margulies, Green could have produced a dynamic drama. With muddled characterisation, a slight script and an over-the-top ending, it emerges as an ill-conceived attempt to make a thriller out of almost nothing.

Village Voice Amy Taubin

The movie lacks any sense of subcultural specificity, though it has a superabundant country music score. [22 Apr 1997]