The Words Reviews

Like a Russian nesting doll, this film tells a story within a story within another story, playing around with fact and fiction, as well as the nature of creative inspiration and integrity.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Engrossing morality tale about lying, guilt and just how great a character actor Jeremy Irons has turned into.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

This isn't an Oscar-contending powerhouse drama; it's a film dedicated to expressing its message.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

A fable and a lesson, but it is a thoroughly enjoyable one, delivered with masterful performances and a great sense of storytelling tradition

Full Review

A wonderful screenplay in which three stories are skilfully interwoven to deliver a rich and satisfying film that questions integrity above all else

Full Review

Maybe it's the timing of the release, coming at the dead zone of post-summer and pre-fall cinematic fare..but 'The Words' has enough going for it to be recommended.

Full Review | Original Score: B

Despite an exposition-heavy outer layer, The Words delivers on 2/3 threads that it presents and offers a somewhat evocative meditation on truth.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

One of the meatiest movies of the year ...

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5

One of those thoughtful films that arrives after a summer of sequels and superheroes.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

The look of the film, the intensity of the stories within stories, the musical score, and above all the nuanced acting by Cooper, Quaid and Jeremy Irons make this more than an ordinary film.

Full Review | Original Score: 8/10

Employing the murky plot construction of a story within a story within a story, The Words is well acted, thoughtful and too clever by half.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Those willing to accept the movie on its own terms will almost certainly savor the opportunity to ponder the many engaging questions that it poses.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4

There is a genuine, high-minded earnestness about the film that, unfortunately, falls well short of its goals.

Full Review | Original Score: 6

...a romantic tragedy about the life of being a writer, meaning that many reviewers may 'get' what is going on here the way non-writers may not.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5

Continuously intriguing but ultimately only semi-satisfying. It has a lot going in its favor...(but) the payoff isn't as good or effective as it could and should have been. Still, I can recommend it to moviegoers hungry for thought-provoking fare.

Full Review | Original Score: B

It manages to be literary and populist at the same time, in its story about the price of dreams and what any of us might be willing to do for love, success or both.

Full Review

This is a film that's thoughtful and elegant, with just enough loose strings to keep things intriguing.

Full Review | Original Score: B

A clever, entertaining yarn that doesn't bear close scrutiny.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

The Words resonates - richly, remarkably.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4

Even with one story line and time frame too many, the movie conjures a mean Faustian bargain and leaves a classic dramatic question hanging in its air: What would you do if faced with similar circumstances?

Full Review | Original Score: B+