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How About You (2007)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 5.9/10
Reviews Counted: 24
Fresh: 16 | Rotten: 8

Though it relies on a cliched storyline and stock characters, How About You gets winning performances from Vanessa Redgrave and Imelda Staunton.

Average Rating: 6/10
Critic Reviews: 10
Fresh: 7 | Rotten: 3

Though it relies on a cliched storyline and stock characters, How About You gets winning performances from Vanessa Redgrave and Imelda Staunton.

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Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 1,304

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Movie Info

This Irish comedy focuses on a woman named Ellie, who despite her family reputation as the wild free spirit, is left in charge of her sister Kate's retirement home when Kate is called home to care for their ailing mother. Ellie already has an aversion to responsibility, and she's definitely not prepared for the downright rude "hardcore" residents at Woodlands rest home. Strangely enough, however, Ellie and the people in her care begin to learn from each other, and her unexpected journey doesn't

Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.

Drama, Comedy

Directed By: Anthony Byrne

Written By: Maeve Binchy, Jean Pasley

In Theaters: Nov 14, 2008 Wide

On DVD: Apr 21, 2009

Strand Releasing

How About You Trailer & Photos

More Photos (5)

Cast

Critic Reviews for How About You

All Critics (26) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (17) | Rotten (8) | DVD (2)

While the movie is rather predictable and has a few moments that are just too heartwarming, there are scenes that are both moving and humorous.

January 9, 2009 Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle

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Walter V. Addiego

San Francisco Chronicle

Top Critic

How About You is based on a Maeve Binchy story about the residents of an Irish retirement home.

December 12, 2008 Full Review Source: Boston Globe

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Wesley Morris

Boston Globe

Top Critic

Never underestimate the value of slight but charming flicks like Anthony Bryne's How About You.

November 14, 2008 Full Review Source: New York Post

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Lou Lumenick

New York Post

Top Critic

Anthony Byrne's lazy drama is insulting to just about everyone, including Maeve Binchy, who wrote the short story on which it was based.

November 14, 2008 Full Review Source: New York Daily News

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Elizabeth Weitzman

New York Daily News

Top Critic

A good scolding and a toke on a joint: that's all it takes to turn the curmudgeonly old folks in How About You into goofy pussycats.

November 14, 2008 Full Review Source: New York Times

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Stephen Holden

New York Times

Top Critic

The material is familiar way past the point of cliche, but these folks are thoroughbreds — and they, if not the material, are irresistible.

November 14, 2008 Full Review Source: NPR

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Bob Mondello

NPR

Top Critic

Teeming with tremendous depth of feeling inhabiting these sassy seasoned seniors, and tempered with lifelong wisdom whether on or off screen, that declares in no uncertain terms, get used to it.

May 29, 2009 Full Review Source: NewsBlaze

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Prairie Miller

NewsBlaze

Amiable but slight.

December 14, 2008 Full Review Source: One Guy's Opinion

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Frank Swietek

One Guy's Opinion

I like Dublin in December, how about you?

November 25, 2008 Full Review Source: NewsBlaze

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Kam Williams

NewsBlaze

How four angry, irritated, and frustrated senior citizens in a residential home are introduced to another way of being that proves to be transformative.

November 17, 2008 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

The latest in a long line of films featuring elderly folk as amusingly dotty old broads and bastards.

November 14, 2008 Full Review Source: Film Journal International

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Lewis Beale

Film Journal International

Brings together a cast strutting their stuff, not as the dotage of second childhood but in the happiness of being alive at whatever age.

November 13, 2008 Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews

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Donald J. Levit

ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Nothing in How About You is the least bit surprising; the film hits its marks with dreary precision.

November 13, 2008 Full Review Source: AV Club

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Noel Murray

AV Club

Redgrave, O'Hara, Ackland, Fricker, and Staunton tear into their parts as though the Academy is still dispensing awards like a gumball machine to any actor who admits that old people can be bastards.

November 13, 2008 Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine

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Amy Nicholson

Boxoffice Magazine

Though the film misses its chance to make a real commentary on our society's treatment of the elderly, as far as Christmas films go, you could do much worse.

November 13, 2008 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine

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Micah Towery

Slant Magazine

Not even Vanessa Redgrave and Imelda Staunton can elicit a gasp out of the wheezing script.

November 12, 2008 Full Review Source: Time Out New York

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Anna King

Time Out New York

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for How About You

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Cast: Joss Ackland, Hayley Atwell, Orla Brady, Brenda Fricker, Elizabeth Moynihan, Joan O'Hara, Vanessa Redgrave, Imelda Staunton Director: Anthony Byrne Summary: When the manager of a retirement home in the Irish countryside asks her younger sister, Ellie (Hayley Atwell), to run the facility during the holidays,

August 16, 2010