The Man Who Cried

2000

The Man Who Cried

Critics Consensus

The storyline is overwrought and awkward, and the audience is distanced from the flatly drawn characters.

35%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 69

58%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 25,753

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Movie Info

In this historical drama with music, a gifted singer (Oleg Yankovsky) from a Jewish village in Russia travels to the United States in 1927, leaving behind his young daughter Fegele (Claudia Lander-Duke). Father has promised his family that he'll send for Fegele as soon as he can, but authorities make life hard for the Jewish population, and Fegele is forced to flee with relatives to England. Fegele is adopted by a British family, which renames her Suzie and raises her with little acknowledgement of her ethnic heritage. As she grows to adulthood, Suzie (Christina Ricci) becomes a gifted vocalist and gets a job singing in a nighclub revue in Paris. Before she leaves England, her adopted family presents Suzie with a picture of her father, still believed to be living in America, and she decides she will go to the United States some day and find him. In Paris, Suzie makes friends with Lola (Cate Blanchett), a Russian showgirl in the market for a rich husband. Lola becomes involved with opera star Dante Dominio (John Turturro), and soon both Lola and Suzie are extras in Dominio's company, managed by Felix Perlman (Harry Dean Stanton). As Lola takes up with Dante, Suzie falls for Cesar (Johnny Depp), a poor but handsome gypsy horse trainer. Suzie soon becomes involved with the handsome Cesar, but their happiness proves to be short-lived when the Nazi war machine begins to roll through France. The Man Who Cried was written and directed by Sally Potter, who previously won acclaim for another unusual historical piece, Orlando. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Cast

Christina Ricci
as Suzie
Cate Blanchett
as Lola
John Turturro
as Dante Dominio
Johnny Depp
as Cesar
Harry Dean Stanton
as Felix Perlman
Miriam Karlin
as Madame Goldstein
Danny Scheinman
as Man in Suit
Anna Tzelniker
as Mother of Man in Suit
Barry Davis
as Man in Village
Oleg Yankovskiy
as Father
Claudia Lander-Duke
as Young Suzie
Hana-Maria Pravda
as Grandmother
Imogen Claire
as Audition Mistress
Thom Osborn
as Village Man
Frank Chersky
as Village Man
Daniel Hart Donoghue
as Village Man
Peter Majer
as Village Man
Ayala Meier
as Village Child
Abraham Hassan
as Village Child
Lloyd Martin
as Village Child
Uri Meir
as Village Child
Sophie Richman
as Village Child
Theo Wisehart
as Village Child
Michael Mount
as Boy in Cart
Harry Flinder
as Boy in Cart
Danny Richman
as Man in Cart
Victor Sobtchak
as Man at Port
Sue Cleaver
as Red Cross Woman
Clifford Barry
as English Port Official
Paul Clayton
as Second Official
Diana Hoddinott
as English Foster Mother
Richard Albrecht
as English Foster Father
Ornella Bryant
as Playground Bully
Sam Friend
as Playground Bully
Isabella Melling
as Playground Bully
Alan David
as Welsh Teacher
Consuelo De Haviland
as Party Hostess
Katia Lebeque
as Twin Pianist
Marielle Lebeque
as Twin Pianist
George Yiasoumi
as Reporter
Pablo Veron
as Dancing Romany
Odile Roire
as Opera Chorus Singer
Brigitte Boucher
as Opera Chorus Member
Norah Krief
as Opera Chorus Member
Helene Hardouin
as Opera Chorus Member
Hugues Dalmagro
as Romany Brother
Cedric Gary
as Romany Brother
Saifi Ghoul
as Romany Boy
Manfred Andrae
as German Officer
Richard Sammel
as German Officer Pianist
Ahmet Zirek
as Father of Boy
Don Fellows
as Joe
Joyce Springer
as Refugee Worker
Cyril Shaps
as Older Man in Sweatshop
Anna Korwin
as Woman in Sweatshop
Mark Ivaner
as Man in Sweatshop
Alfred Hoffman
as Man in Sweatshop
Bernard Spear
as Man in Sweatshop
Damian Puckler
as Studio Assistant
David Baxt
as Studio Lawyer
Katherine Hogarth
as Father's New Wife
Patrick Clarke
as Father's New Son
Bridget Clarke
as Father's New Daughter
Chris Gillespie
as Nurse
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Critic Reviews for The Man Who Cried

All Critics (69) | Top Critics (24)

View All Critic Reviews (69)

Audience Reviews for The Man Who Cried

  • Sep 25, 2011
    The actors in this film constantly look as if they're befuddled, doing their best to interpret Sally Potter's obtuse writing and directing style.
    Brett W Super Reviewer
  • Sep 06, 2010
    This is a fairly basic Nazis = bad film. There's not much in the way of political acumen, and the characters and their storylines never escape from basic types. The acting is good until the characters begin the worst lip synching in film history. Potter's dialogue is fairly stilted, but the art direction and cinematography is good. As a whole, the film needed to escape cliche and take greater advantage of its cast, all of whom are capable of strong, nuanced performances.
    Jim H Super Reviewer
  • Aug 25, 2009
    Gloriously flamboyant and emotionally camp exploration of cultural assimilation. Christina Ricci is fabulously passive and unmoved by proceedings as is an equally understated Johnny Depp. Cate Blanchett chews scenery with panache, and Sacha Vierny's camerawork is exquisite.
    hawk l Super Reviewer
  • Jul 27, 2009
    Hard to understand what some of the characters are saying or singing and a little slow in parts.
    Nikki M Super Reviewer
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