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True Romance
Warner Bros.


8.3

based on 18 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 19 votes
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FILM:

Internet Movie Database

MPAA RATING: R

Starring Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Christopher Walken, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, and Bronson Pinchot

This rock'n'roll adventure story tells of two unlikely lovers who accidentally double-cross the Detroit mob by stealing valuable contraband. Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette flee to Los Angeles where they are sought by both gangsters and cops. (Warner Bros.)

GENRE(S):	Romance
WRITTEN BY:	Quentin Tarantino
DIRECTED BY:	Tony Scott
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: September 30, 1997 Video: October 1, 1996 Theatrical: September 10, 1993
RUNNING TIME:	120 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle

Anybody who talks about True Romance has to start with the writing. It's dazzling. In scene after scene, Tarantino surprises the audience even while coming up with dialogue that rings much more true than anything you could have anticipated. [10 Sept 1993]

100

USA Today Susan Wloszczyna

These gun-crazy, lust-loopy kids on the run are irresistible in the best crime rush since “GoodFellas.” [10 Sept 1993]

100

Empire Clark Collis

One of the best mainstream action-thrillers [in] a decade.

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

You never forget you're watching a derivative, machine-tooled entertainment; the fun is in how the machine keeps spinning off course.

The New York Times Elvis Mitchell

A vibrant, grisly, gleefully amoral road movie. [10 Sept 1993, p.C5]

Film Threat Brad Laidman

Tony Scott steers the movie like a rocket and it never slows down.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

True Romance, which feels at times like a fire sale down at the cliche factory, is made with such energy, such high spirits, such an enchanting goofiness, that it's impossible to resist. Check your brains at the door.

Rolling Stone Peter Travers

The blistering confrontation scene between Hopper and Walken -- both in peak form -- will be talked about for years. It's pure Tarantino: a full-throttle blast of bloody action and verbal fireworks.

TV Guide Staff (Not Credited)

Blends and recycles elements of scores of crime and road movies, from "Bonnie and Clyde" to "Badlands" but it does so with enough energy and verve to create something entirely fresh and infectiously entertaining.

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

Consistently entertaining.

ReelViews James Berardinelli

Despite Tony Scott's occasional blundering, True Romance is still a visceral roller coaster.

Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum

As usual, Tarantino's sense of fun is infectious but fairly heartless.

Variety Leonard Klady

It doesn't add up to enough, as preposterous plotting and graphic violence ultimately prove an audience turnoff.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Noel Murray

The Tony Scott version of Tarantino comes out vulgar; the graphic violence and profanity-laced posturing represent everything that the wannabes soon used to exhaust audiences. Nevertheless, True Romance contains so many unforgettable moments.

Washington Post Desson Thomson

Amid the violence, the one-liners ring out. Nobody speaks for real. It's as if they all know they're in a movie.

Washington Post Richard Harrington

Despite its noir references and evocations, this slick film, directed by Tony Scott from Quentin Tarantino's script, is a preposterously bloody mess, as is the plot.

Chicago Tribune Gene Siskel

A stupid, stylized road picture. [10 Sept 1993]

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

It is hard to say what is more dispiriting about True Romance the movie itself or the fact that someone somewhere is sure to applaud its hollow, dime-store nihilism and smug pseudo-hip posturing as a bright new day in American cinema. [10 Sept 1993]

The average user rating for this movie is 8.3 (out of 10) based on 19 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Bill D. gave it a10:
This is one of the all-time greats although it does seem like it is just a combination of some of the best scenes and not one cohesive story. It would've been cool to see Tarantino direct it as well. BUT - each scene is more memorable than the next - just a great f'in movie.

Davor K. gave it a9:
Don't read other people's comments. The only way to find out what a real film fun should look like is to see the film. If you wanna seduce your friend, take him/her with you!

Linda M. gave it a10:
Best Movie Eva!!! And Alabama is the cutest character I've ever seen LOL! Patricia Arquette is so gorgeous! I just love the whole storyline and how much Clarence and Alabama love each other, from the moment they meet!

Stine J. gave it a10:
Holy g what a good movie . . . never a dull moment and alabama is so cute.

fabio gave it a 7:
Wonderful story/script, mediocre direction.

Andrew M. gave it an 8:
Whether True Romance was written before or after Pulp Fiction I'm not sure, but what I do know (well, at least think...) is that True Romance is in many ways topically akin to Pulp Fiction. There is an atmosphere, tone is probably a better word, to both films that link them, like they are different layers of the same pie (a poor parallel, I know, but I'm having a tough day) If True Romance wasn't written as a prequel of sorts, it at least can certainly be watched as one. Anyway, moving on, I loved this film. Brilliantly written and casted: Arquette is gorgeous, Oldman is a riot, and Hopper is right where he belongs. It's all about entertainment, but there's a pretence to it all and that is partly why it works. This type of film wouldn't work nearly as well if it was treated in a sober, resolute manner; thankfully, it's drunk as a skunk and I enjoyed the whole swaying and stumbling journey!

Gerard M. gave it a 7:
Although True Romance could be perceived as one dimensional and wooden, there are sparks of pure brilliance that redeem the film. Watch out for a hilarious cameo by Brad Pitt.

True Romance Warner Bros.

True Romance
Warner Bros.