Opening

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—— Fill the Void May 24
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—— After Earth May 31
—— Now You See Me May 31
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100% The Kings of Summer May 31
The Shipping News

The Shipping News (2001)

tomatometer

56

Average Rating: 5.8/10
Reviews Counted: 129
Fresh: 72 | Rotten: 57

Though solidly made and acted, The Shipping News is rather heavy-handed and dull, especially given the nature of its protagonist.

58

Average Rating: 5.8/10
Critic Reviews: 33
Fresh: 19 | Rotten: 14

Though solidly made and acted, The Shipping News is rather heavy-handed and dull, especially given the nature of its protagonist.

audience

60

liked it
Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 20,228

My Rating

Movie Info

The Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by E. Annie Proulx becomes this drama from director Lasse Hallström. Kevin Spacey stars as Quoyle, a struggling, emotionally drained newspaper reporter suffering through a wretched marriage with the abusive Petal (Cate Blanchett), a promiscuous wild woman who tries to sell their daughter, Bunny, into adoption before she's killed in a car wreck. Retrieving his daughter, Quoyle sets out for Newfoundland, his ancestral home, with his long-lost Aunt Agnis (Judi

R,

Drama, Romance

Robert Nelson Jacobs

Jun 18, 2002

$11.4M

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All Critics (143) | Top Critics (35) | Fresh (74) | Rotten (58) | DVD (16)

I am baffled by all the negativity surrounding it, and I am prepared to designate it as the most underrated film of 2001.

March 13, 2002 Full Review Source: New York Observer | Comment (1)
New York Observer
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The movie has a modest but true feeling for the ways in which people are formed by the ravages of their natural surroundings.

January 22, 2002 Full Review Source: New York Magazine
New York Magazine
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Spacey brilliantly shows Quoyle's transformation from a passive clod to a curious journalist.

January 17, 2002
Orlando Sentinel
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I like good newspaper movies. Most of them get it completely wrong. In this case, it's exactly right.

January 10, 2002 Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper
Ebert & Roeper
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Some novels need to be left alone. Hear that, Hollywood?

January 8, 2002
Rolling Stone
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Where The Cider House Rules was one of the most exquisite examples of classical Hollywood filmmaking in years, Chocolat was no more than a trite, pleasant trifle. The Shipping News, well made as it is, isn't even up to that standard.

January 8, 2002 Full Review Source: Salon.com
Salon.com
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Not really meant for kids and teens.

December 29, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment (1)
Common Sense Media

What has happened to Lasse Hallstrom: This poor adaptation of an interesting novel is not only bland but also poorly acted and shapeless

January 11, 2007 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | Comment (1)
EmanuelLevy.Com

...a problematic film redeemed by its steel gray palette and the actorly instincts of its chief players

January 29, 2005 Full Review Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Kevin Spacey, Julianne Moore astound in touching, well-told tale of rebirth and redemption.

November 7, 2002 Full Review Source: Netflix
Netflix

Audience Reviews for The Shipping News

A congenital looser named Quoyle, after having dealt with multiple blows in life, moves with his daughter to his ancestral homeland, Newfoundland, at the urging of his long-lost Aunt, Agnis (Judi Dench). There he befriends a serene single mother, Wavey Prowse(Julianne Moore) and gradually finds himself accepted into that remote community.

Once the story makes the transition to the snowy coasts of Newfoundland, I found myself elevated to a whole another level of movie experience. Maybe it has to do something with the going-back-to-roots premise of the movie. Photographic grandeur of the breathtaking landscapes plays its part in that feeling too.

Movie features powerful performances from a clutch of well recognized talents. The simple story can basically be described as one about our search for a place in the world and about coming to grips with the past. Lass Hallstrom, who gave us "What's eating Gilbert Grape", leaves you with a similar experience when you're through with this movie.
October 25, 2011
SajinPA

Super Reviewer

Not a Corvette this film but rather a stationwagon with room for many (and their assorted baggage) and not a film for everyone, this story of a family returning to it's small town roots I found hypnotic. It's my favorite Spacey film, instantly, Dench was solid as an oak, and Julianna Moore did not offend me for a change.
August 29, 2011
UniversalDreamer

Super Reviewer

    1. Jack Buggit: You don't have the sense God gave a donut, do you?
    – Submitted by Frances H (20 days ago)
    1. Agnis Hamm: Tea's a good drink. Keep you going.
    – Submitted by Alan J (21 months ago)

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Latest News on The Shipping News

August 1, 2005:
Trailer Bulletin: An Unfinished Life
Finally earning a (limited) release after sitting on a Miramax shelf for about a year is Lasse...

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