Critic Reviews

• Trevor Johnston, Time Out

  Even though we know where the film's going, it still manages to give the tear-ducts a workout.

• Rebecca Barry, Flicks.co.nz

  This is one film that's equal parts moving and grating.

• Matthew Toomey, ABC Radio Brisbane

  The film's comedic elements are a bit clunky but Song For Marion clicks into gear when it starts pulling at the heart strings.

• Jim Schembri, 3AW

  A modest joy to behold, the film also clicks into the recent high-quality spate of movies aimed at and starring seniors, such as The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Quartet, Performance, Amour and Hitchcock. Here's to more.

• David 'Mad Dog' Bradley, Rip It Up

  Director Paul Andrew Williams has until now concentrated on low-budget pics about drugs, crime and blackly comic bloodthirsty horror, but with this superior character piece he also demonstrates an amiable knack for the old-fashioned tear-jerker too.

• Ed Gibbs, The Sunday Age

  Terence Stamp is terrific as the grumpy Arthur, while Vanessa Redgrave embodies the ailing figure of Marion with a gravitas one would expect.

• Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile

  The sentiments expressed are sincere and the performances have great veracity so it is a shame that the film itself lacks the juice and pace proffered by its energetic cast

• Donald Clarke, Irish Times

  The interactions between Redgrave and Stamp confirm [Williams] has serious dramatic chops. The swerve towards cuddly redemption porn suggests he's starting to panic a little.

• Alistair Harkness, Scotsman

  A movie that celebrates wilful amateurism over anything good.

• Philip French, Observer [UK]

  Everything that follows is as predictable, dreary and proverbial as the weather in Manchester.

• Jason Best, Movie Talk

  Parts of the film are cheesy and the whole is undeniably manipulative, but the film is so tender and generous, and its stars so genuinely affecting, that it's easy to forgive the odd bum note.

• Mike McCahill, Daily Telegraph

  Plays like an update of the time-honoured Full Monty formula - public exhibitionism vanquishes English emotional reserve - for a post-Glee world.

• Graham Young, Birmingham Mail

  It's a very British, predictable film with its heart in the right place.

• Grant Rollings, Sun Online

  It patronises the older generation by going, "Tee-hee, look at them trying to be young".

• Derek Malcolm, This is London

  It has its saving graces, and the chief of them is the performance by Terence Stamp as Mr Grumpy.

• Christopher Tookey, Daily Mail [UK]

  Writer-director Paul Andrew Williams plucks at our heartstrings with the sensitivity of Mike Tyson singing a love song.

• Allan Hunter, Daily Express

  Sentimental stuff but when an ailing Redgrave sings True Colours it really does bring a lump to your throat.

• Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

  Grit-meister Paul Andrew Williams switches to the key of C major for a commercial crowdpleaser about a seniors' choir.

• Nigel Andrews, Financial Times

  Overacting while peering through goggly specs, Redgrave comes on like a drag-act Mr Magoo.

• Matthew Thrift, Little White Lies

  Too emotionally manipulative, but not without its moments of real tenderness and warmth.

Read all 21 critic reviews