Critic Reviews

• Eddie Cockrell, Variety

  Predictable yet charming.

• Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

  Bereft of real laughs while lacking the depth to make its emotional aspects more moving, the film never manages to assimilate its shifting tones and ultimately seems trivial.

• Jonathan Curiel, San Francisco Chronicle

  Their characters are compelling and completely realistic, the acting is first-rate, and many scenes in this black-and-white movie (which was shot in different countries, including Saudi Arabia) are breathtaking.

• Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

  It's a weirdly winning illustration of love that O. Henry himself would have loved.

• Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

  Bittersweet and sophisticated.

• Anita Gates, New York Times

  A touching Parisian love story about an actor and his dying wife.

• Doris Toumarkine, Film Journal International

  Favors melodramatic and quirky twists, never bothering to lay down substantive ballast.

• David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

  ...works as long as one doesn't think about it too much...

• Andy Klein, Los Angeles CityBeat

  ...a diverting little comedy/drama, with a good central performance from Freiss, but...nothing much more on display.

• Luke Y. Thompson, New Times

  Director Steve Suissa balances the comedy and the tragedy of the material effectively

• Scott Foundas, L.A. Weekly

  As in many of his films, Jaglom establishes a striking intimate rapport with his female subjects.

• , E! Online

  Funny, romantic and poignant all at the same time, Le Grand Role is quite a star.

• Kim Williamson, Boxoffice Magazine

  A good one that could please most specialized audiences, especially couples.

• Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine

  Fails to summon a compelling parallel between Merchant's anti-Semitic baggage and the Jewish Maurice's own struggles as an actor.

• Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve

  Stephane Freiss's monologue from 'The Merchant of Venice' would make Al Pacino envious.

Read all 15 critic reviews