Critical Response
Reviews of the film were generally mixed, criticizing it as a poor adaptation of the novel and a dramatically un-involving film. It currently holds a 32% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 99 reviews. The comment of Entertainment Weekly critic Lisa Schwarzbaum was typical: "Faced with a choice of blunt instruments with which to beat a good book into a bad movie, director Billy Bob Thornton chooses heavy, random, arty imagery and a leaden pace." The New York Times reviewer thought the film "as slick and superficial as a Marlboro advertisement" The characters were also derided as undeveloped, and some reviewers considered there to be a lack of chemistry between the lead actors. Roger Ebert, however, disagreed, awarding the film three-and-a-half out of a possible four stars. The film's sweeping visuals (filmed in New Mexico and Texas), however, were consistently praised by all.
Read more about this topic: All The Pretty Horses (film)
Famous quotes containing the words critical and/or response:
“Much of what contrives to create critical moments in parenting stems from a fundamental misunderstanding as to what the child is capable of at any given age. If a parent misjudges a child’s limitations as well as his own abilities, the potential exists for unreasonable expectations, frustration, disappointment and an unrealistic belief that what the child really needs is to be punished.”
—Lawrence Balter (20th century)
“From time to time I listen to what you are saying, just in case a response is needed.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)