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What Maisie Knew Play Trailer Get Showtimes

What Maisie Knew (2013)

tomatometer

83

Average Rating: 7.6/10
Reviews Counted: 36
Fresh: 30 | Rotten: 6

It's undeniably difficult to watch at times, but What Maisie Knew ultimately rises on the strength of its solidly sourced script, powerful performances, and empathetic direction.

81

Average Rating: 7.6/10
Critic Reviews: 16
Fresh: 13 | Rotten: 3

It's undeniably difficult to watch at times, but What Maisie Knew ultimately rises on the strength of its solidly sourced script, powerful performances, and empathetic direction.

audience

69

liked it
Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 2,422

My Rating

Movie Info

A contemporary reimagining of Henry James' novel, WHAT MAISIE KNEW tells the story of a captivating little girl's struggle for grace in the midst of her parents' bitter custody battle. Told through the eyes of the title's heroine, Maisie navigates this ever-widening turmoil with a six-year-old's innocence, charm and generosity of spirit.

R,

Drama

,

Carroll Cartwright, Nancy Doyne

$21.5k

Millenium Entertainment - Official Site External Icon

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All Critics (36) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (6)

The film raises more uncomfortable questions about Maisie's uncertain future than it ever answers, but that's in keeping with the emotional honesty the filmmakers are striving for.

May 3, 2013 Full Review Source: NPR
NPR
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We experience her upsets without the leavening of outside interferences. And because Aprile is such an intuitive performer, we are always searching her face for the imprint of her suffering.

May 3, 2013 Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor
Christian Science Monitor
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Some moviegoers may opt for an easier cinematic pleasure than this carefully crafted, discomforting look at familial misery in hyper drive, but it is the most provocative movie about parenting I've seen since The Kids Are All Right.

May 3, 2013 Full Review Source: TIME Magazine
TIME Magazine
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Yes, these people are cliches. But they know it. And so do the actors, who push past the stereotypes to slowly show us that perhaps these young and rather unimportant people are far more grown-up and involved than anyone else around them.

May 3, 2013 Full Review Source: Newark Star-Ledger
Newark Star-Ledger
Top Critic IconTop Critic

This is a fine idea for a PSA TV commercial, but (a) they already did it back in the '70s and (b) it goes on well past the 30-second mark.

May 3, 2013 Full Review Source: New York Post
New York Post
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"What Maisie Knew" lays waste to the comforting dogma that children are naturally resilient, and that our casual, unthinking cruelty to them can be answered by guilty and belated displays of affection.

May 2, 2013 Full Review Source: New York Times
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Searing and sad, with Julianne Moore and Steve Coogan at their fiercely-unlikable best.

May 8, 2013 Full Review Source: McClatchy-Tribune News Service
McClatchy-Tribune News Service

The film hits home thanks to a stunning performance by Onata Aprile. At age 7, Aprile has mastered the steepest challenge in screen acting: reacting in an engaging way.

May 5, 2013 Full Review Source: amNewYork
amNewYork

It could make you angry, or open up old wounds, but in the best possible way. Let's get riled up, let's take it personally.

May 3, 2013 Full Review Source: CraveOnline
CraveOnline

Most movies about divorce and fractured families play up the tumultuous melodrama, but What Maisie Knew goes for something much quieter and more profound. It's a subtly ambitious film that's smartly written, beautifully acted, and perfectly directed.

May 3, 2013 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Wrenching drama about child custody can spark discussion.

May 3, 2013 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media

Directing partners Scott McGehee and David Siegel go more mainstream and downstream with this modern-day, loose riff on Henry James' late-19th-century novel.

May 3, 2013 Full Review Source: Film Journal International
Film Journal International

Cinema buffs should see this for the great performances all around, the way that New York feels when it's not being rushed, and for an overall tenderness that's most welcome.

May 3, 2013 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid
Combustible Celluloid

The actors are all very good. Moore, in particular, has a frightening intensity. If Maisie can deal with this banshee, she's prepared for anything.

May 3, 2013 Full Review Source: Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News

What Maisie Knew is an affecting movie right until the very end, but is it really worth breaking your heart?

May 3, 2013 Full Review Source: The Playlist
The Playlist

It fails to bring much insight to what essentially amounts to a massive parental guilt trip.

May 2, 2013 Full Review Source: AV Club
AV Club

A mesmerizing screen adaptation of a Henry James novel about parenting and the importance of a tender and nurturing love.

May 1, 2013 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice
Spirituality and Practice

Audience Reviews for What Maisie Knew

'What Maisie Knew'. Emotionally turbulent in the best possible way. Onata Aprile gives the most captivating performance of the year.

The perspective it delivers on a child's almost unconditional ability to love is brilliant.
May 9, 2013
c0up
c0up  

Super Reviewer

Saw this film yesterday and absolutely adore it. Onata Aprile is the most amazing child I've ever seen on a movie screen - she just breaks your heart in every scene. The directing, the cinematography, the script - it was all so beautiful - like movies for grown ups used to be. Just be prepared to cry a lot, which is great as long as that's what you like.
May 8, 2013
Jacky M.
Jacky Morris
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