Take This Waltz Reviews

This is finely-judged filmmaking from a writing and directing talent to watch.

Full Review

A mess of the sort that only a brilliant person can slop up on there.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10

The gorgeous photography gives summertime Toronto a steamy, sexy glow and the music (including the Leonard Cohen song that provides the title) adds to the film's air of yearning.

Full Review

Though nicely shot and well acted, especially by Michelle Williams, this is a minor, conventional work and a step down for Polley after her splashy directing debut, Away from Her.

Full Review | Original Score: C+

This slice-of-life character study doesn't tell the whole story. Rather, this is a glimpse into a short part of the life of a woman who seems a lot like an enigma.

Full Review | Original Score: B

Polley's sophomore feature fumbles between reality and fantasy, often insightful but frequently ungrounded. Dig that carnival ride, though.

| Original Score: 2.5/4

Can a marriage crumble gently?

Full Review

Despite flying perilously close to neurotic indie 'quirkiness', Polley's well considered screenplay and Williams' charming screen presence mean that the film will encourage a wealth of post-viewing dissection.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

Like its title, Take This Waltz is sometimes conceptually awkward - but it's also occasionally funny, steamy and always well photographed.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

This film's saving grace is Williams whose character follows another tormented path of self-discovery/preservation ...

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Williams works her adorable little chipmunk cheeks to the bone in a typically weighty role.

Full Review

Sins and all, I ended up liking Sarah Polley's sophomore directorial effort for its unresolved, warm-to-the-touch emotions

Full Review

Polley is very good at depicting the small highs and lows of modern relationships - the frequent poignant moments of everyday intimacy will doubtless strike a chord with many couples.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Remarkable and immensely moving.

Full Review

Polley is a subtle filmmaker, and a surprising one, too.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

Beautifully photographed, maudlin and moving, bruising and bittersweet, Take This Waltz is a heartrending emotional roller coaster.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

Committed and resonant, Take This Waltz gets under your skin - and feels a lot like the work of an auteur in the making.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

Polley delivers a rich evocation of the central marriage, with its mixture of by-rote ritual and easy comfort, and makes the wise and unusual decision to portray the cuckold-to-be (Seth Rogen) as decent and good-natured, rather than stiff or cruel.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Flush with beauty and truth, and is unerringly, unnervingly accurate on love, desire and friendship.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5

Polley expertly navigates the emotional states of her characters, constantly surprising and challenging our expectations about who will say what and what will happen next.

Full Review | Original Score: A-