53
Metascore
12 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 88Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperChicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperIt’s a sweet and knowing and lovely and funny story, but occasionally the spell of warm nostalgia is broken by painful moments of family heartbreak and cruel bullying.
- 88Washington PostMichael O'SullivanWashington PostMichael O'SullivanAlthough Measure of a Man is less gut-wrenching than director Jim Loach’s only previous theatrical film, “Oranges and Sunshine” — about the cruel fate of unwanted children shipped from England to Australia during the United Kingdom’s mid-20th-century “child migrant” program — the British filmmaker shows himself to have an affinity for tales of the abuse of power.
- 75ReelViewsJames BerardinelliReelViewsJames BerardinelliMeasure of a Man, the sophomore feature effort from British director Jim Loach (the son of the famed filmmaker Ken Loach), effectively captures this difficult-to-pin-down feeling with a largely unsentimental coming-of-age story based on Robert Lipsyte’s novel, “One Fat Summer.”
- 70Los Angeles TimesMichael RechtshaffenLos Angeles TimesMichael RechtshaffenWhile it might not bring much that's new to the coming-of-age playbook, British filmmaker Jim Loach's sensitively-observed dramedy, Measure of a Man, offers decisive proof that fresh and different is overrated when you've got a strong cast, a beautifully written script and fittingly measured direction.
- 70Village VoiceSerena DonadoniVillage VoiceSerena DonadoniThe portentously titled Measure of a Man is at once an escapist fantasy and sensitive portrait of adolescent transformation.
- 50Philadelphia Daily NewsGary ThompsonPhiladelphia Daily NewsGary ThompsonWhile the movie serves as a pleasant piece of nostalgia, it’s not very deeply felt, and mostly serves to remind us of other, better movies that have covered similar territory, like Adventureland.
- 50Arizona RepublicBill GoodykoontzArizona RepublicBill GoodykoontzThe elements are in place for a decent little movie, but Loach overplays everything, offering nothing in the way of surprises. Bobby’s supposed transformation isn’t particularly revelatory, but then, neither is anything else.
- 50The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeThe Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeBut the synthesis is underwhelming on screen where it might have resonated in Lipsyte's book. Here, Measure becomes a mildly nostalgic, mildly romantic entry in a genre that, more than most, requires that the viewer feels a personal connection to the misfit protagonist on screen.
- 50The Film StageJared MobarakThe Film StageJared MobarakTopics like sexual orientation, gentrification, feminism, rape culture, and adultery are introduced so superficially that the film would be doing better service to each by leaving them on the cutting room floor. It needs to either put more focus on Bobby or work harder at creating its ensemble. Existing in the middle as it does only leaves us wanting for more.
- 20Austin ChronicleAustin ChronicleCooper acquits himself as the main character, but between the pratfall/character-building montages and the endless platitudes imparted by the wise, old mentor, Measure of a Man does him few favors, and the film becomes a tedious haul through to the redemptive third act.