Cate Blanchett, Gordon Pinsent, Jason Behr, Judi Dench, Julianne Moore ...( see more  see more... ) , Kevin Spacey , Larry Pine , Pete Postlethwaite , Rhys Ifans , Scott Glenn

A man makes a journey to self-discovery when he returns to his ancestral home on the coast of Newfoundland. After the death of his estranged wife, Quoyle's fortunes begin to change when his long lost ...( read more  read more... )Aunt Agnis convinces him to head north with his daughters. He relocates to the small coastal village of Killick-Claw. Now, in a place where life is as rough as the weather and secrets are as vast as the ocean, Quoyle lands a job as a reporter for the local newspaper. He reports on the shipping news as he simultaneously attempts to adjust to his new life and surroundings. In the course of his new career, he confronts private demons, discovers dark family mysteries and finds love with a lonely single mother who has a secret of her own.

Flixster Users

63% liked it

17,505 ratings

Critics

55% liked it

127 critics

R, 2 hr. 4 min.

Directed by: Lasse Hallström

Release Date: December 25, 2001

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DVD Release Date: June 18, 2002

Stats: 703 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (703)


  • December 21, 2009
    HEADLINE: A movie to stir the soul.
  • December 13, 2009
    At first I thought it is going to be a boring Movie, but I still rented it. I was surprised how Beautiful this Movie is. Kevin Spacey was Brilliant in his role. I wonder where this Movie was filmed. Beautiful Place wherever it was.
  • May 28, 2009
    great acting in a nice movie
  • July 1, 2008
    A dissapointment for me. It had some interesting moments and ideas. I didn't lke Spacey in this role.
  • April 6, 2008
    quaint drama about a loser called quoyle (spacey) who returns to newfoundland (where his family came from) with his newly found aunt (dench) and daughter (played by some twins apparantly...?!!?). it's a tale of re-discovery of heritage and re-gaining posture. well made by hallstr...( read more)om the swede
  • January 7, 2010
    Kevin Spacey is just awesome and I love Cate Blanchett's look in this
  • November 1, 2009
    "It's finding the center of your story, the beating heart of it, that's what makes a reporter."

    Good film with a well-threaded plot and strong performances from all the cast. You can tell it was a book and perhaps it would have been more powerful in written form. Not my ...( read more)favourite Lasse Hallstrom film, but still - perhaps worth giving a watch.

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  • October 12, 2009
    kevin spacey and dame judi dench shines in this very poignant movie.
  • September 27, 2009
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    The Shipping News impressed me for several reasons: first the location, second Lasse Hallstrom's direction and third the acting by t...( read more)he lead characters and the supporting characters as well, they were outstanding. The beauty of the story, involving familiar dramas that were easily recognized anywhere, was used in here to explore known aspects and to bring them to screen. My mayor credit goes here for the director Hallstrom to put such a great story about grief, family secrets, loss, and love.
  • August 27, 2009
    The beginning was a little too fast and confusing however the story was really good and the cast fitted in really well together and gave good performances. At times it was a little boring but I was always guessing at what was going to happen next. Loved the setting and the feel o...( read more)f the movie though.

Critic Reviews


January 8, 2002
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Some novels need to be left alone. Hear that, Hollywood? full review

December 25, 2001
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Despite its haunting artistry and its winning eccentricities, The Shipping News is a vehicle that's still very much at sea. full review

December 25, 2001
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Relentlessly colorful and cute. full review

December 25, 2001
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Moves at a glacial pace, much like the icy land it's set in. And even a top-notch cast can't warm up the atmosphere. full review

December 25, 2001
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

A meticulous and often moving adaptation from Lasse Hallström. full review

December 24, 2001
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

Hallstrom has fashioned a disjointed movie full of strong performances and some powerful individual scenes. full review

View more The Shipping News reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • terris85017
    February 13, 2008
    Spacey is superb, dead pan & believable in that emotion....if unable to grasp what his boss is seeking...Surprised over Judi Dench's remarkably dark performance...correctly played however! Took notice of Cate Blanchette in this film.

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The Shipping News Trivia


  • The Missing Charlotte Gray is The Aviator, The Gift of Veronica Guerin from The Shipping News. Elizabeth met Oscar and Lucinda and found An Ideal Husband, he isn't The Talented Mr. Ripley or The Lord of the Rings, he's on The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.  Answer »
  • Who played one of the Lewis Twins, was a brother to Little Nicky, shared a flat in Notting Hill with Hugh Grant, was one of the Replacements and lost his boat in the Shipping News  Answer »
  • In what movie does Kevin Spacey move to Canada after the tragic death of his wife?  Answer »
  • He played Harry Kingsley in ‘Iron Will’ (1994), D.A. Rufus Buckley in ‘A Time to Kill’ (1996), and Quoyle in ‘The Shipping News’ (2001).  Answer »

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