RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
RT's Blu-ray HQ
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / Blind Date
Blind Date

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Blind Date (2009)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
35 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:20

Fresh:7

Rotten:13

Average Rating:4.9/10

Consensus: Despite the chemistry of stars Patricia Clarkson and Stanely Tucci, Blind Date's stagey direction and underdeveloped story make it feel more like a rehearsal than a performance.

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 80 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Sep 25, 2009 Limited

Synopsis: Don and Janna are a married couple struggling to reconnect after the death of their daughter. They answer each other’s phony classified ads and begin an elaborate game of pretend on a series of... Don and Janna are a married couple struggling to reconnect after the death of their daughter. They answer each other’s phony classified ads and begin an elaborate game of pretend on a series of blind dates, hoping that this ruse will allow them finally to talk openly about the demise of their relationship in the wake of tragedy. In playing out their various roles—such as a blind man in search of a sighted woman, a woman in search of a dance partner, and a reporter in search of an aggressive female interviewee—Don and Janna feel free to ask each other probing questions, explore the meaning of humor after calamity, and nearly fall in love. However, when their conversations can’t seem to break out of a circular pattern, never transcending the wall between them, they face the reality that perhaps overcoming heartbreak is not in the cards for them.

Although the material is sometimes dark, Stanley Tucci’s filmmaking is infused with humor, and Tucci and Patricia Clarkson are a pleasure to watch as Don and Janna. They give shaded, compelling performances as real, tragic characters attempting to fake their way through unfamiliar emotional territory.--© Sundance Film Festival
[More]

Starring: Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson

Starring: Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson

Director: Stanley Tucci

Director: Stanley Tucci
Screenwriter: Stanley Tucci, David Schechter
Studio: Variance Films

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
1 - 3 of 3

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Dec 22, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 

DVD Features:

  • Region [unknown]

Audio:

  • English
 
 
 
 

Reviews for Blind Date

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Too psychological and "film school" for some but a fine homage to Theo Van Gogh's integrity and courage as a filmmaker and student of the human condition.

Full Review Source: Monsters and Critics | comment Comment
10/12/09
Ron Wilkinson
Ron Wilkinson
Monsters and Critics

A depressing tale of a couple whose relationship is running on empty.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
10/03/09
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

Boasts natural, well-nuanced performances by Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson, but it's often an awkward blend of romance, drama, comedy and tragedy that eventually becomes tedious and dull while leaving you underwhelmed and unmoved.

Full Review Source: NYC Movie Guru | comment Comment
09/26/09
Avi Offer
Avi Offer
NYC Movie Guru

It's about watching two always-fine actors do a lot with very little.

Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment Comment
09/25/09
Joe Neumaier
Joe Neumaier
New York Daily News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The film never lifts itself above its origin as a well-meaning, underdeveloped exercise.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
09/25/09
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A remake of a film by murdered Dutch director Theo van Gogh, it fails to captivate despite -- or perhaps because of -- the frantic acting efforts of Tucci and the normally reliable Patricia Clarkson.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
09/25/09
Lou Lumenick
Lou Lumenick
New York Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Ultimately, the joke goes on too long -- for the couple and for us -- and the film fades away before the final fade-out.

Full Review Source: Newark Star-Ledger | comment Comment
09/25/09
Stephen Whitty
Stephen Whitty
Newark Star-Ledger
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

[Patricia] Clarkson has the ability to make any character interesting, but if there's ever been a test of how enjoyable it is to watch a film just because she's in it, this is it.

Full Review Source: Metromix.com | comment Comment
09/24/09
Geoff Berkshire
Geoff Berkshire
Metromix.com

Merely a depressing curiosity.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
09/24/09
John P. McCarthy
John P. McCarthy
Boxoffice Magazine

Far more than an actors' exercise, this theatrical piece conveys the heartbreak of a married couple who have lost their 5-year-old daughter in an auto accident.

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
09/23/09
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

It's overly faithful to the original and to Van Gogh's preferred three-camera setup.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
09/23/09
Aaron Hillis
Aaron Hillis
Village Voice
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It’s the kind of two-hander that relies solely on the chemistry of the actors, both of whom banter, parry and bum rush their way through various left turns with grace. Their pas de deux almost makes up for this threadbare tragedy’s no-win endgame. Almost.

Full Review Source: Time Out New York | comment Comment
09/23/09
David Fear
David Fear
Time Out New York

Since neither character is ever explained or examined with any real insight, the viewer ceases to care early on. The overriding effect is paralyzing tedium.

Full Review Source: New York Observer | comment Comment
09/23/09
Rex Reed
Rex Reed
New York Observer
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Behind all the role playing is a movie that feels uncertain in its tone and style, more exercise than drama.

Full Review Source: At the Movies | comment Comment
09/21/09
Michael Phillips
Michael Phillips
At the Movies
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It does feel very stage bound, very formal.

Full Review Source: At the Movies | comment Comment
09/21/09
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
At the Movies
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A well-written and insightful drama built around two beautifully modulated performances by Tucci (who directed) and the always-marvelous Patricia Clarkson.

Full Review Source: Hollywood & Fine | comment Comment
09/21/09
Marshall Fine
Marshall Fine
Hollywood & Fine

As a theatrical filmic exercise, "Blind Date" is a fair experiment. Just don't go expecting to see a movie.

Full Review Source: Daily Radar | comment Comment
09/17/09
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
Daily Radar

The characters are barely introduced before we're plunked right into their angst-fest.

Full Review Source: Cinematical | comment Comment
01/28/08
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
Cinematical

Popularity of the two stars could make the film an arthouse hit; they're a joy to watch.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
01/25/08
John Anderson
John Anderson
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Aside from a few amusing scenes, it mostly comes across as a dry exercise, and the ending is so grim that much of the earlier charm might be forgotten.

Full Review Source: ComingSoon.net | comment Comment
01/21/08
Edward Douglas
Edward Douglas
ComingSoon.net
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View
all

Latest News for Blind Date

September 28, 2009: New: Brand New Trailer/Poster Opens in new window
More...

September 24, 2009: Critics Consensus: Surrogates Is A Passable Thriller
This week at the movies, we've got robot clones (Surrogates, starring Bruce Willis and Radha Mitchell), artistic-minded freshmen (Fame, starring Kelsey Grammer and Megan... More...

September 20, 2009: Trailer & Poster review Opens in new window
More...

See All

More DVDs

Close
Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
36% 36% Angels & Demons
25% 25% Four Christmases
68% 68% Funny People
95% 95% Star Trek
14% 14% The Ugly Truth

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
83% 83% Harry Potter and the H…
67% 67% Public Enemies
75% 75% Julie & Julia
95% 95% The Cove
85% 85% World's Greatest Dad

More New Releases…

RT On Current TV

DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196

What’s Hot On RT

Disney Countdown

Disney Countdown

Look back on Disney's best animated movies!

RT's Gift Guide

RT's Gift Guide

Give the best movies, gear, and more!

Jason Reitman

Jason Reitman

The Up in the Air director's Five Faves

The Blind Side

The Blind Side

Did you see it? Rate and review it here!

Other News

Close
  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Exclusive: The World of Where the Wild Things Are
3
  • Peter Jackson Talks Hobbit, LotR Blu-ray Source: Collider.com
10
  • Woman Jailed for Filming New Moon Screening Source: Chicago Sun-Times
9
  • McG Has Plans for Fifth and Sixth Terminator Movies Source: Gizmodo
66
  • Spielberg Hops Away from Harvey Source: Variety
22
  • Tarantino Could Have Directed Green Lantern Source: MTV
24
  • Will Duvall be Gilliam's Don Quixote? Source: Collider.com
26
  • No Hobbit Until 2012? Source: The Wrap
22
  • Don't Hold Your Breath for Hancock 2 Source: HitFix
42
  • Peter Berg Talks Battleship Source: CHUD
2
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Total Recall: Natalie Portman's Best Movies
79
  • Five Favorite Films with Jason Reitman
56
  • Critics Consensus: Everybody's Fine Is Just OK
50
  • 10 Horrifically Profitable Films
46
  • Sundance 2010: RT's 10 Most Anticipated Movies
41
  • Five Favorite Films with Jesse Ventura
40
  • Weekly Ketchup: Tron Team to Remake The Black Hole
37
  • Awards Tour: National Board of Review Winners List!
28
  • Friday Harvest: Iron Man 2, Harry Potter, and more!
24
  • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Terminator Salvation and a Smithsonian Battle
22
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
2
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
17
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
12
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
23
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
8
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
15
  • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
22
  • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
9
  • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
28
  • Gavin Hood Talks Wolverine; Possible Sequel
30
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • Blind Date at Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh Links

Featured
History of Disney Animation
History of Disney Animation External Link

MSN Movies offers a little background on the success of Disney Animation.

90 Years of Screen Vampires
90 Years of Screen Vampires External Link

TIME takes a look back at the history of vampires on film.

Virtuoso Vistas of Lovely Bones
Virtuoso Vistas of Lovely Bones External Link

Techland examines the visual splendor of Peter Jackson's upcoming film.

Recent Headlines as TV Movies
Recent Headlines as TV Movies External Link

AOL put together a list of 10 recent news items that would be perfect as TV Movies.

The Death of Original Thought
The Death of Original Thought External Link

Hollywood.com's C. Robert Cargill explores how remakes and reboots have warped our thinking.

Promos
Follow RT on Twitter
Follow RT on Twitter External Link

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.