Uptown Girls

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

Murphy has a kind of divine ineptitude that moves beyond Marilyn's helplessness into Lucy's dizzy lovability. She is like a magnet for whoops! moments.

Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt

Add marvelously imaginative directing -- finally Yakin fulfills the promise he showed in "Fresh" almost a decade ago -- and you have a colorful, creative, deliciously frolicsome romp.

The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt

A perky comedy aimed at young women that gets the job done with crisp efficiency.

TV Guide Angel Cohn

Unfortunately, the emotionally resonant moments between Murphy and Fanning are few and far between; the rest of the film relies on goofy physical comedy -- Murphy takes more pratfalls that any young woman should have to.

Variety Amy Dawes

Light, occasionally charming and reasonably well-crafted.

San Francisco Chronicle C.W. Nevius

It would help if the plot were more than just an outline with a few convenient turns.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Matthew Hays

When Uptown Girls isn't trying to play up its wacky high jinks -- and those tend to be so weak they can't possibly float the film -- it stoops to the kind of psychological character development films this shallow should really avoid like the plague.

Chicago Tribune Mark Caro

In Uptown Girls Murphy is like a puppy in traffic; you're confident she'll reach the curb but only because the cars are swerving, not because her moves are so deft.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Sean Axmaker

See "Freaky Friday" for convincing cross-generational female bonding. Despite it's elegant style and uptown milieu, this film is a cheap imitation.

Portland Oregonian Bruce Westbrook

Like most Meg Ryan comedies, Uptown Girls has a heroine who's adorable only because it says so in the script.

Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum

Cutesy and unconvincing parable.

Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas

Uptown Girls is more downer than upper.

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

By the climax, the adult has finally become a responsible though still charming citizen; the child has become age appropriate and, yes, even cuter. Tsunami swell of music. Roll the credits. Minus the charm, that pretty much sums up Uptown Girls.

Dallas Observer Robert Wilonsky

Seems far too familiar for comfort. "About a Boy," anyone?

The New York Times Stephen Holden

Fatally true to the hypocritical values of its niche market. While pretending to teach a lesson in compassion, it wallows in the perks of privilege.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Nathan Rabin

Uptown Girls refuses to make Fanning likable, which speaks to a certain misplaced integrity, and tends to throw a wrench in the film's halfhearted attempts at formula.

Philadelphia Inquirer Steven Rea

Uptown Girls gives the impression that everyone behind the camera just threw up their hands in helpless resignation.

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

Frankly, you may prefer the company of cinematic serial killers (Freddy vs. Jason) after you meet the pair at the center of this story.

USA Today Claudia Puig

This is not only unsuitable for children, it's a colossal waste of time at any age.

Baltimore Sun Chris Kaltenbach

It's supposed to be funny watching these two characters and wondering who'll be the first to start acting her age, but it's really just pitiful, watching two talented actresses...given so little to work with.

Boston Globe Ty Burr

The feel-bad movie of the summer.

LA Weekly Chuck Wilson

One almost pities the unnervingly twitchy Murphy, whose shiny makeup is dreadful, and who doesn't stand a chance alongside the focused intensity of Fanning, who commands the screen with the precision of a 30-year veteran.

Washington Post Stephen Hunter

There's nothing wrong with Uptown Girls that not seeing it won't fix.

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

Unlike in ''Freaky Friday,'' no magic spells are involved. Nor is there any of ''Freaky'''s marvelous charm in this ungainly Manhattan fairy tale, directed by indulgent sentimentalist Boaz Yakin.

Miami Herald Connie Ogle

Dismal.

Village Voice Laura Sinagra

Less "Freaky Friday" than just plain freaky.

Empire Alan Morrison

Slap a restriction order on yourself and don't come within ten paces of this hideous concoction.

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

None of it is handled with any emotional believability or grace. Well-worn phrases and plot developments are repeated here as though the world had never heard of "Cinderella."

Washington Post Michael O'Sullivan

It's all too, too cute and too, too forced for words -- not to mention too, too dark.

New York Post Lou Lumenick

A creepy, depressing and leering "comedy" that's a virtual collection of "What were they thinking?" moments.