Critic Reviews

• Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

  Buday's script is directionless and his direction listless.

• Ronnie Scheib, Variety

  The uneven script, repetitive tropes and over-indulgence of actorly bits slow the pace, tipping youthful casualness into complacency.

• Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

  The script lacks the depth to transcend its cutesy gimmick and -- as with the misleading horoscopes that fuel the plot -- the film never approaches a five star level.

• Rex Reed, New York Observer

  Mr. Gigandet shows surprising sensitivity and sweetness previously untapped. He's not what I expected, and neither is Five Star Day.

• Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times

  There's nothing more dispiriting about a movie than a trust in star magnetism that isn't returned in actual projected wattage.

• Neil Genzlinger, New York Times

  A drippy ending erases all the hopes you've built up and forces you to conclude that this wasn't such a well-thought-out film after all.

• James Plath, Movie Metropolis

  As indie films go, "5 Star Day" has good production values, strong performances, and compelling cinematography. It's the premise, plot, and character development that keep it from being successful.

• Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat

  I'm sure writer/director Danny Buday was trying to make something profound, yet he displays a chronic inability to generate momentum.

• Kam Williams, NewsBlaze

  A romantic reminder of less-enlightened times when asking a woman her astrological sign was actually a viable pickup line.

• Susan Granger, SSG Syndicate

  You don't need a horoscope to know it's a bad sign when the quirky, jumbled, plodding plot is incredibly implausible.

• Alison Willmore, AV Club

  5 Star Day has a low-key air that often works, allowing its characters to behave like people instead of twee constructions.

• S. James Wegg, JWR

  The joy of taking charge

• Fr. Chris Carpenter, Movie Dearest

  (The film) has its charms but is more often than not overly talky and serious...A lighter touch on (writer-director Danny) Buday's part would have likely made the film more entertaining as well as more endearing.

• Kalvin Henely, Slant Magazine

  Danny Buday's film is not so much skeptical of astrology as confused about it.

• Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com

  Isn't an exceptional feature, but its sensitivity and dedication to the comfort of strangers is quite appealing. It tenders a sweet message about human attachment and kindness, creating a gentle ambiance that's consistently engaging.

Read all 15 critic reviews