Greetings From Tim Buckley (2013)
Average Rating: 6.2/10
Reviews Counted: 29
Fresh: 20 | Rotten: 9
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 6.1/10
Critic Reviews: 15
Fresh: 11 | Rotten: 4
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 1,034
Movie Info
In 1991, a young musician named Jeff Buckley (Penn Badgley, "Gossip Girl," MARGIN CALL) rehearses for his public singing debut at a Brooklyn tribute concert for his father, the late folk singer Tim Buckley. Struggling with the legacy of a man he barely knew, Jeff finds solace in a relationship with an enigmatic young woman (Imogen Poots, 28 WEEKS LATER) working at the show. As they explore New York City, their adventures recall glimpses of Tim's (Ben Rosenfield) own 60s heyday, as he drives
Watch It Now
Cast
-
Penn Badgley
Jeff Buckley -
Imogen Poots
Allie -
Ben Rosenfield
Tim, Tim Buckley -
Frank Wood
Gary, Gary Lucas -
-
Kate Nash
Carol -
Isabelle McNally
Jane -
William Sadler
Lee, Lee Underwood -
Norbert Leo Butz
Hal, Hal Wilner -
Jadyn Strand
Young Linda -
Frank Bello
Richard, Richard Hel... -
Jessica D. Stone
Janine Nichols -
Tyler Gilham
Young Lee -
Kemp
Siren -
Eden
Siren -
David Schnirman
C.H. -
Stephen Tyrone Willi...
Carter -
Christoph Manuel
Milos -
Marian Pinchoff
Audience Member -
David Lipman
Frank -
Gary Lucas
Gary Lucas -
Jason Ralph
Square Young Man -
Knox Chandler
House Band Guitar -
Hank Roberts
House Band Cello Pla... -
Ratzo Harris
House Band Bass Play... -
Robin Burger
House Band Keyboard ...
ADVERTISEMENT
All Critics (29) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (20) | Rotten (9)
Penn Badgley delivers a pivotal performance as the younger Buckley, coming off with just enough pretentiousness and attitude.
Top CriticAlgrant's desire to reunite father and son through music is admirable, but "Greetings from Tim Buckley" is too meandering and ethereal to have any lasting impact.
Badgley does a credible take on the signature falsetto that Jeff would later bring to his only album, Grace ...
The concert may have seen the reluctant birth of a second-generation rock star, but this movie, if nothing else, is a similarly suitable showcase for its own leading man.
In paying homage to two iconic performers, he's given a former small-screen star the chance to announce his own cinematic arrival.
Badgley delivers a nuanced performance of such ferocity he almost singlehandedly makes a conventional film seem loose and improvisatory.
It's a quiet movie of small rewards, made by a whole lot of talented people taking a risk and pulling it off with humble aplomb.
The atmosphere of Algrant's film is detached, as though filmed underwater, which is fitting for Buckley's mood.
an admittedly slight but resonant and lingering look at two truly singular talents - their flaws presented alongside their musical gifts - who were haunted by the presence of each other throughout their careers.
It's a fittingly understated turn [from Badgley], complemented by on-stage performances of Tim Buckley's music that feels - and sounds - like real emotional catharsis. No small feat.
While the film seems like a tribute itself it doesn't have significant commercial appeal but it may appeal to the fans
The movie struggles to find its footing, lacking the dramatic tension to make it of much interest beyond the fan base of the supremely talented, tragically fated Buckleys.
Greetings From Tim Buckley is a beautiful, touching, electrically charged success, capturing the essence of these two adored musicians with a synergistic magic that, unbelievably, does them both justice.
Music-filled drama amounts to several promises unfulfilled except for some solid performances and a terrific soundtrack of Buckley songs, both actual and skillfully recreated.
There is no doubt that Greetings From Tim Buckley is respectable...But the film never quite connects father and son as each sharing the common bond of extraordinary talent or even similar personal woes.
Badgley is terrific, and even if he doesn't quite succeed in making Jeff Buckley likeable, he does make the singer's standoffish attitude understandable.
Audience Reviews for Greetings From Tim Buckley
That's the crux of the narrative in Greetings From Tim Buckley, and director Daniel Algrant (Naked In New York), working from a script by Emma Sheanshang and David Brendel, makes poetry out of it, a haunting tale of father and son who never really knew one another. In flashbacks we see Tim (Ben Rosenfield) building his career, including recording nine albums, while neglecting any family duties, save for sneaking into his ex-wife's home to watch his son in his crib.
Algrant steers Greetings From Tim Buckley from being typical bio-pic swill by focusing on only onen event and the aid of terrific actors, including Robert Leo Butz as Hal Willner, the concert organizer, and a wonderful Imogen Poots as intern Allie, who joins Jeff as he avoids rehearsal to visit his father's old hangouts.
Badgley, best known for his role as brooding Dan Humphrey on tv's Gossip Girl, gives his best performance anywhere yet. He's electrifying, breathing the role, making sure to catch Jeff's humor (check the scene of him imitating rock singers in a record store) and exposing the raw nerves and pain in his vocals. When he performs his father's song 'Once I Was' a cappella after a guitar string breaks, it's his breakthrough performance, one that will lead to his own short career. That Jeff himself died from drowning in 1997 at the age of 30 only underscores the deep sense of loss that resonates the film. It's indelibly moving, the film and Badgley. Grace indeed.
Discussion Forum
What's Hot On RT
New Desolation of Smaug trailer!
Naomi Watts is Princess Di
The Hangover 3, The Purge, and More
Trailer for a squirrely heist flick
See what's on TV tonight
Latest News on Greetings From Tim Buckley
May 3, 2013:
Critics Consensus: Iron Man 3 is Certified FreshThis week at the movies, we've got only one new wide release in theaters, but it's a biggie: the...
Fresh Links
Featured
Halloween Movies For Wimps
Scary movies too scary for you? Here are some alternatives for October 31st.
10 Best Superhero TV Shows
HitFix combs through TV history to compile a superpowered list.
Ridiculous Movie Mistakes
RollingStone proves even the best movies miss a details here and there.
Deadly Movie Kids
Moviefone lists 11 Movie Kids Who Could Kick Our Asses.
50 States, 50 Movies
For July 4th, TimeOut has compiled 50 state-specific movie choices.
Promos
Follow RT on Twitter!
Spice up your feed with hourly Tomatometer updates!
Featured on RT
- Primetime Preview: Supernatural, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and More 0
- RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: The Hangover Part III, The Purge, and More 11
- Primetime Preview: Beauty and the Beast, Sleepy Hollow and More 0
- NYFF: Joaquin Phoenix and James Gray talk The Immigrant 2
- Box Office Guru Wrapup: Gravity Stuns with Record $55M Launch 80
- Primetime Preview: Witches of East End, Once Upon a Time and More 4
- Weekly Ketchup: Disney Plans Live Action Cruella de Vil Movie 37
Top Headlines
-
Fox Animated Series, ABC Comedies Tumble in Sunday Ratings
0
-
Bong Joon-ho Reportedly "Furious" About Snowpiercer Cuts
0
-
Record-Setting Number of Films Competing in Foreign-Language Oscar Race
0
-
Woody Allen Cancels Blue Jasmine's India Premiere
1
-
Lionsgate Wants Gary Ross and Jennifer Lawrence's Burial Rites
1
-
ABC Plans Kevin Hart-Inspired Series
0
-
The Shining's Danny Torrance Is All Grown Up
1
