Ruby Sparks Reviews
The Standard
It's a refreshing take for a rom-com, and when you add in a healthy dose of humour, it makes for an enjoyable and intelligent treat.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Fan The Fire
The hit and miss nature of Ruby Sparks is a surprise given it's from the same duo that brought us Little Miss Sunshine.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
NOW Toronto
Ruby Sparks feels like the best Woody Allen movie Woody Allen never made.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Top CriticSometimes it's worth surrendering to cinematic enchantments, and Ruby Sparks makes a pretty good case for its own magic.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
Sure it's been done before -- man brings ideal woman to life -- but not quite like Ruby Sparks. And that sets this film up to be a smart and romantic low-key comedy that goes beyond expectations.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
If the result feels like a Pinocchio story that spends too much time with Geppetto, or a takedown of narcissism that never breaks free of what it's critiquing, Dano nonetheless makes Calvin compelling company.
Ruby Sparks flirts with preciousness and has less fun with its premise than it could have, but that's because it's actually a gently touching metaphorical drama about the real essence of love.
Full Review
| Original Score: B+
St. Paul Pioneer Press
Screenwriter/actress Kazan's theory seems to have been that if she's going to write herself a part, she might as well make it a crackerjack one.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Even with the draggy pacing, though, the actors and the central idea are so good that Dayton and Faris never lose us completely.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
Scene-Stealers.com
It tackles the idea that people in a relationship will often try to remake the other person in their image. Some of the twists are more obvious than others, but it has just enough charm (mostly from Kazan herself) to skate by.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2.5/4
Movie Metropolis
It may be directed by the pair that gave us "Little Miss Sunshine," but what makes this one work is writer Zoe Kazan, who doubles as the female lead.
Full Review
| Original Score: 7/10
SFX Magazine
A sprightly, slightly twisted take on the romcom genre.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Irish Times
The picture offers worrying commentary on male stereotypes of femininity and on the gender's domineering tendencies.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Flix Capacitor
While lesser filmmakers would merely utilise such a premise as an excuse for quirky, whimsical rom-com antics, here it's used to say something worthwhile about relationships.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Contactmusic.com
A romantic comedy with a dark twist, this film gets under the skin as it knowingly explores both the writing process and the nature of relationships.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
This is London
If it pulls a few punches, and has an ending that seems pie in the sky, it is at least ambitious enough to dare to be something different.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
Sun Online
Kazan energises a film which could have been weighted down by Dano's often-repeated Little Mr Rainstorm act.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Daily Mail [UK]
Though recognisably a variation on Pygmalion and My Fair Lady, it's a daringly unconventional idea, and Ms Kazan has written endearing roles for herself and her real-life boyfriend, Mr Dano.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
Kazan's script is observant about how we try to control relationships - making this a smart, modern movie. And how often can you say that about a romcom?
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
