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Evelyn (2002)

tomatometer

65

Average Rating: 6.1/10
Reviews Counted: 106
Fresh: 69 | Rotten: 37

Though predictable and sometimes overly sentimental, Evelyn still manages to be heartwarming.

79

Average Rating: 6.5/10
Critic Reviews: 29
Fresh: 23 | Rotten: 6

Though predictable and sometimes overly sentimental, Evelyn still manages to be heartwarming.

audience

76

liked it
Average Rating: 3.6/5
User Ratings: 7,552

My Rating

Movie Info

One man takes on the Irish family law system and the Catholic Church in a bid to be reunited with his children in this drama, based on a true story. In 1953, Desmond Doyle (Pierce Brosnan) was a house painter and decorator who, despite a strong work ethic, had a hard time holding on to steady work. Desmond's wife had grown tired of her marriage and her husband's financial problems, and one day walked away from her home, leaving Desmond to raise their three children on his own. While Desmond

PG, 1 hr. 33 min.

Art House & International, Drama

Paul Pender

Apr 15, 2003

$1.3M

MGM/UA

Cast

All Critics (121) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (72) | Rotten (37) | DVD (16)

It's Kramer vs. Kramer, without the Kramers, a 'true story' without much of the truth.

January 3, 2003 Comment
Orlando Sentinel
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Stephen Rea, Aidan Quinn, and Alan Bates play Desmond's legal eagles, and when joined by Brosnan, the sight of this grandiloquent quartet lolling in pretty Irish settings is a pleasant enough thing, 'tis.

January 3, 2003 Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | Comment
Entertainment Weekly
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Your head may want to resist Evelyn, but your heart will have a hard time of it.

December 27, 2002 Comment
Arizona Republic
Top Critic IconTop Critic

From any other filmmaker, Evelyn would be merely a forgettable good intention, but when you consider that Beresford is the man who brought us Black Robe and Breaker Morant, it approaches heartbreak.

December 26, 2002 Full Review Source: Washington Post | Comment
Washington Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

You can't help but like its unequivocal sentimentality.

December 26, 2002 Comment
Washington Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Beresford's direction makes sure that grit and a certain ugliness get equal screen time with the requisite heartwarming qualities.

December 25, 2002 Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | Comment
Sacramento Bee
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Did director Bruce Beresford have to ratchet up the saccharine of an innately sentimental story?

February 6, 2009 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | Comment
TheMovieReport.com

Evelyn works as a modest parable, the truth shining through in spite of the filmmakers' unfortunate oversimplifications.

January 15, 2005 Comment
Looking Closer

Old fashioned spirit and resolve work well in a movie like 'Evelyn.'

October 14, 2004 Full Review | Comment

Modest in almost every respect, yet deeply satisfying.

June 25, 2004 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | Comment
Apollo Guide

...too schmaltzy to take seriously.

August 1, 2003 Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | Comment
Reel Film Reviews

After The Tailor of Panama made it clear that Brosnan can slide into character-based comedy with ease, Evelyn proves that his more challenging, dramatic work is in desperate need of being vigorously shaken and stirred.

June 12, 2003 Full Review Source: FilmStew.com | Comment

Here's a sweet film to rent for Father's Day or Christmas. It's a heart-warmer, charming, and shot with a sugary cinematic eye.

May 10, 2003 Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | Comment
Hollywood Report Card
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Evelyn

Tear jerker for sure and a good storyline and acting.

June 8, 2009
leekyle1968

Super Reviewer

Evelyn is a touching drama that takes a stab at religion and state while not offending the faithful. I'm a sucker for Pierce Brosnan, underdog stories, heartwarming dramas, and Irish music. I loved this movie.

September 24, 2009
danieltoy71
Daniel Toy

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