48
Metascore
11 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 88Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertChicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertThe story is predictable, but the style had me on the edge of my seat.
- 80Los Angeles TimesKevin ThomasLos Angeles TimesKevin ThomasThere's not a performance here that doesn't ring true, nor is there a period detail that's the least bit anachronistic in Bill Kenney's production design and Wendy Partridge's costumes. [25 Sep 1987, p.1]
- 67Christian Science MonitorDavid SterrittChristian Science MonitorDavid SterrittThe 1950s atmosphere is vivid and the cast is solid, except Diane Lane, who saves most of her energy for the unnecessary sex scenes. The story builds a good deal of momentum and then falls completely apart in the last 20 minutes or so. [09 Oct 1987, p.21]
- 50The Associated PressBob ThomasThe Associated PressBob ThomasFirst-time director Ben Bolt, son of writer Robert Bolt, evokes excitement with the gambling scenes, but the climactic shooting is poorly staged, and the epilogue is a letdown. [21 Oct 1987]
- 40The New York TimesCaryn JamesThe New York TimesCaryn JamesThis huge cliche of a movie isn't even a distant relation of films like The Color of Money, which can actually make you root for hustlers. The Big Town only proves we've gone back to the 1950's one time too many.
- 40TV Guide MagazineTV Guide MagazineDespite all the props, costumes, and music, the film conveys no feel for the city, the period, or the seedy gambling milieu.
- 38Chicago TribuneJohanna SteinmetzChicago TribuneJohanna SteinmetzA lot of nostalgia movies are so in love with their period details that they squander plot and character time on lingering shots of antique cars and storefronts. They wear their vintage with the self-conscious smirk of a 40-year-old stepping out in her prom dress. It's a hoot, of course, but it doesn't guarantee a good time. [25 Sep 1987, p.L]
- 30Washington PostRita KempleyWashington PostRita KempleyThe Big Town aims to be The Hustler with dice, but it's just a lot of craps -- a laughable, overlong look at a small-town gambler's comeuppance at the hands of Chicago's high rollers.
- 25Washington PostDesson ThomsonWashington PostDesson ThomsonAdd Big Town's collection of spotty characters (with motives murkier than the cinematography), cliche'-laden dialogue (from We gotta get out of here to I can change, I can change), abruptly ended scenes, no exposition when you need it, poor sense of drama (a deep breath), and you have something that should be pitched out into the alley behind the dingiest bar in town.
- 20Tampa Bay TimesTampa Bay TimesThere's a lot of money in the sets, costumes, cinematography and soundtrack of The Big Town, but the movie has no soul. [29 Sep 1987, p.4D]