Critic Reviews

• Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

  A charming pipsqueak of a movie, a playful film of ragged and shaggy appeal.

• Trevor Johnston, Time Out

  Rockwell's wonderfully unassuming movie throws a big hug around youthful ambition, b/w filmstock, and the glowing screen charisma of Cassel. An unheralded gem.

• Janet Maslin, New York Times

  A droll, self-conscious fable with an unexpected heart of gold ...

• James Berardinelli, ReelViews

  Because of the generally poor quality of character development, I just didn't care about how things resolved themselves. A strong ending might have redeemed something from this mess, but it was not to be.

• Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

  [Actor] Cassel seems to be a variation on the noble/foolish hero played by Ben Gazzara in Cassavetes's The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, but you certainly don't have to know this source to respond to Cassel's enormous funds of charm and charisma.

• , TV Guide's Movie Guide

  There isn't enough one could say about the casting in this film -- it's simply perfect. The story is elevated by the chemistry and sense of improvisation between Buscemi and Cassel.

• Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

  Though not great, it's easily Rockwell's best work, a playful film with darkly comic twists, played out nicely by Steve Buscemi and Seymour Cassel, who's over-the-top but the film allows that.

• Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

  Yes, it's an old story that has been told a thousand times before and since, but Alexandre Rockwell's little film has a home movie charm and a streetwise wit that make it a must-see sleeper.

• Danny Graydon, Empire Magazine

  Rockwell's story is a winner, but it's Cassell, showing he's lost none of his acting chops since his days with Cassavettes, who shines.

• Simon Renshaw, Film4

  Beals has taken a strange route since Flashdance, arriving here as the object of Buscemi's desire, but it's Cassel's hood with a heart who steals the spotlight and all the best lines.

• Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle

  In the Soup's charm is based in its humor, in its odd bits of business that happen in the margins.

Read all 11 critic reviews