RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • 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 / The Designated Mourner
The Designated Mourner

Rate this Movie Help Icon

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

The Designated Mourner (1997)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
73 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:15

Fresh:11

Rotten:4

Average Rating:6.5/10

Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Hare (THE BLUE ROOM) directed this film adaptation of Wallace Shawn's play while it was being performed on the London stage with the same cast. A divorced couple (Nichols and Richardson) sit at a... Hare (THE BLUE ROOM) directed this film adaptation of Wallace Shawn's play while it was being performed on the London stage with the same cast. A divorced couple (Nichols and Richardson) sit at a table with her father (De Keyser) and lament the death of culture in their unnamed, totalitarian country in the distant future- a country where intelligent thinkers are thought to be dangerous. A play not at all dependent on visuals, the film is notable mostly for its rare performance from director Nichols. [More]

Starring: Mike Nichols, Miranda Richardson, David De Keyser

Starring: Mike Nichols, Miranda Richardson, David De Keyser

Director: David Hare

Director: David Hare
Screenwriter: Wallace Shawn
Producer: Donna Grey, David Hare

[See More Credits]

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

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

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Dec 7, 1999

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • A unique and disturbing work, "The Designated Mourner" is the feature film version of Wallace Shawn's hugely successful play, which was first staged by David Hare at London's Royal National Theatre with Mike Nichols (whose brilliant performance was the talk of the town) in the leading role of "Jack." The play has now been created anew for the screen by the same cast, writer, director and designer. Told almost entirely in direct address, the screenplay by Wallace Shawn is an astonishing tour-de-force, as enthralling as his earlier cult classic, "My Dinner with Andre" (written and performed with Andre Gregory). Directed by playwright/filmmaker David Hare, starring Miranda Richardson, David de Keyser and one of America's most famous film directors, Mike Nichols, in his feature film acting debut, "The Designated Mourner" is a genuinely original, intimate, and compelling experience.
  • Source: Image Entertainment, Inc.
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for The Designated Mourner

    • T-Meter Critics
    • Top Critics
    • RT Community
    • My Critics
    • My Friends
    • DVD
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
    Text View | 1 2 >> >|
    Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
     
     
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    03/26/09
    Derek Elley
    Derek Elley
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Has a way of hiding in a dark corner of your memory, and popping out when you least expect it.

    Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
    08/12/06
    Rob Gonsalves
    Rob Gonsalves
    eFilmCritic.com
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    01/26/06
    Time Out
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/06/05
    Film Threat
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    06/28/05
    Emanuel Levy
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    02/07/05
    Philip Martin
    Philip Martin
    Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

    Shawn's play never becomes a movie.

    Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    05/03/04
    Dennis Schwartz
    Dennis Schwartz
    Ozus' World Movie Reviews

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/08/02
    Film Threat
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
    07/12/02
    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
    06/05/02
    Boxoffice Magazine
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
    03/24/02
    Boston Phoenix
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Culture lovers will relish this film's rigorous examination of class warfare and the dire effects of both ivory tower intellectualism and political repression.

    Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
    02/24/02
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Spirituality and Practice
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
    02/14/01
    Kevin Thomas
    Kevin Thomas
    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Jam! Movies
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    E! Online
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Christopher Null
    Christopher Null
    Filmcritic.com

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Jack Garner
    Jack Garner
    Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    James Berardinelli
    James Berardinelli
    ReelViews
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Marjorie Baumgarten
    Marjorie Baumgarten
    Austin Chronicle

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Roger Ebert
    Roger Ebert
    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
    Text View | 1 2 >> >|
    See All

    More DVDs

    Close
    Top Rentals
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    15% 15% The Ugly Truth
    98% 98% Up
    36% 36% G.I. Joe: The Rise of …
    52% 52% The Taking of Pelham 1…
    45% 45% Ice Age: Dawn of the D…

    More Rentals…

    New On DVD This Week
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    36% 36% Angels & Demons
    68% 68% Funny People
    25% 25% Four Christmases
    45% 45% Shorts

    More New Releases…

    See All

    RT On Current TV

    The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

    DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

    Learn how you can be part of the show

    More...

    What’s Hot On RT

    Avatar

    Avatar

    Watch an exclusive behind-the-scenes video!

    Friday Harvest

    Friday Harvest

    This week's best pics, posters, and videos!

    RT's Gift Guide

    RT's Gift Guide

    Give the best movies, gear, and more!

    What to Watch?

    What to Watch?

    Read our Holiday Movie Preview!

    Other News

    Close
    • Top Stories
    • Popular
    • Interviews
     
     

    Comments

     
     
    Top Stories
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Disney Restructuring Has Broad Implications Source: Los Angeles Times
    2
    • Joel Silver Talks Ninja Assassin, Sgt. Rock, Lobo, and More Source: Collider.com
    1
    • Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors
    88
    • Idris Elba Joins Thor Source: Hollywood Reporter
    112
    • Jackass 3D Coming in 2010? Source: Collider.com
    32
    • 6 Reasons 'Twilight' Is Doomed Source: The Wrap
    63
    • Forbes Names Hollywood's Most Overpaid Actors Source: Forbes
    20
    • Chris Weitz Says He's (Almost) Done with Directing Source: Film School Rejects
    26
    • Spider-Man 4 Casting Rumors Multiply Like Rabbits Source: Deadline Hollywood Daily
    51
    • McTeigue Says Superman Is "In a Weird Place" Source: MTV
    204
    Popular
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Critics Consensus: New Moon Wanes
    129
    • Tomatometer Watch: Will Twilight's New Moon Dazzle?
    96
    • Box Office Guru Wrapup: New Moon Shatters Records
    86
    • Total Recall: Star-Crossed Lovers
    70
    • Five Favorite Films with Werner Herzog
    50
    • Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors
    43
    • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Star Trek, Bruno, and Cheaper Sopranos
    32
    • Friday Harvest: New Moon, Avatar, and more!
    28
    • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
    8
    • Ho, ho, ho! It's RT's Great Big Gift Guide!
    0
    Interviews
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
    8
    • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
    19
    • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
    6
    • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
    15
    • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
    16
    • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
    8
    • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
    28
    • Gavin Hood Talks Wolverine; Possible Sequel
    28
    • Duncan Jones talks Moon, Sam Rockwell, and Mute
    14
    • Emma Stone talks Zombieland - RT Interview
    41
     
     

    Sponsored Links

    Around The Network

    • The Designated Mourner at Rotten Tomatoes

    Fresh Links

    Featured
    Star Trek DVD Exclusive
    Star Trek DVD Exclusive External Link

    TECHLAND gives us a first look at the extras, including Leonard Nimoy's last day on set!

    The New Cult Canon
    The New Cult Canon External Link

    AV Club looks at a beloved cult classic, Sam Raimi's Army of Darkness.

    New Moon Portraits
    New Moon Portraits External Link

    TIME offers us a closer look at the characters from the latest Twilight film.

    Unsexiest Men Alive
    Unsexiest Men Alive External Link

    Moviefone lists their choices for the least attractive men in Hollywood.

    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.