Julia (1977)

Critic Reviews

• Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

  It's all in such good taste that it's downright stupefying.

• Variety Staff, Variety

  The period environment, brilliantly recreated in production design, costuming and color processing, complements the topflight performances and direction.

• Vincent Canby, New York Times

  The movie looks soft, which has nothing to do with the Hellman flintiness, guts, self-mockery, wisdom, above all, impatience with cant.

• Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

  This movie's problems start with its point of view, and it never quite recovers from them.

• , TV Guide's Movie Guide

  Beautifully crafted, nominated for nine Academy Awards, a big hit at the box office -- and a dramatic dud.

• Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser

  The film has star appeal and gossip appeal, and the disc's soundtrack makes viewing it worthwhile, but sometimes you want to reach through the screen, reach through characters, reach through the words, reach through every layer of artistic endeavor, and s

• Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

  Hansomely mounted but superficially written, Julia lacks dramatic focus, reflecting confusion as to what exactly Lillian Hellman's memory text is about, but the actresses, especially Vanessa Redgrave, are fascinating

• , Time Out

  Lillian Hellman's tight autobiographical story about memory and friendship gets the full Zinnemann gloss-wash.

• Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com

  An understatedly suspenseful drama with both Fonda and Redgrave giving impassioned performances.

• Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

  Fascinating, well structured drama with Fonda and Redgrave at their best.

• Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

  Powerful story with superb performances.

• Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

  Julia gives us a genuine and affecting portrait of a friendship between two women who confirm each other and strengthen their bonds over the years.

Read all 12 critic reviews