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True Romance
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 18 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 21 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Romance
Written by: Quentin Tarantino
Directed by: Tony Scott
Release Date:
Theatrical: September 10, 1993
DVD: September 30, 1997
Running Time: 120 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Summary
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.)
Also On Metacritic
FILM: Crimson Tide Deja Vu Domino Enemy of the State Man on Fire Spy Game The Fan The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database
What The Critics Said
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...
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]
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]
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >ReelViews James Berardinelli
Despite Tony Scott's occasional blundering, True Romance is still a visceral roller coaster.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum
As usual, Tarantino's sense of fun is infectious but fairly heartless.
Read Full Review >Variety Leonard Klady
It doesn't add up to enough, as preposterous plotting and graphic violence ultimately prove an audience turnoff.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 21 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.
