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Morton quietly makes this quirky, enigmatic mood piece a compelling watch. Read critic reviews

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Morvern Callar Photos

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Movie Info

When her boyfriend commits suicide, unambitious Glasgow clerk Morvern Callar (Samantha Morton) invents various stories to explain his absence. After several days, she chops up and buries the body. She then finds a novel he completed before killing himself and sends it to several publishing houses as her own work. When the book is bought, Morvern uses her first payment to take a Spanish vacation with her best friend, Lana (Kathleen McDermott), which turns out to be a surprising emotional journey.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Lynne Ramsay
  • Producer:
    George Faber
  • Writer:
    Liana Dognini, Lynne Ramsay
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $267.2K
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    BBC Films, Film Council
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Samantha Morton
Morvern Callar
Kathleen McDermott
Lanna
Raife Patrick Burchell
Boy in Room 1022
Dan Cadan
Dazzer
Carolyn Calder
Sheila Tequila
Jim Wilson
Tom Boddington
Dolly Wells
Susan
Ruby Milton
Couris Jean
Lynne Ramsay
Director
Liana Dognini
Writer
Lynne Ramsay
Writer
Alan Warner
Writer (Novel)
Leonard Crooks
Executive Producer
Andras Hamori
Executive Producer
Barbara McKissack
Executive Producer
Seaton McLean
Executive Producer
David M. Thompson
Executive Producer
George Faber
Producer
Show all Cast & Crew

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Critic Reviews for Morvern Callar

All Critics (82) | Top Critics (35) | Fresh (69) | Rotten (13)

View All Critic Reviews (82)

Audience Reviews for Morvern Callar

  • Feb 05, 2021
    Scottish director Lynne Ramsay's follow-up to her debut Ratcatcher is just as low-brow and affecting. Her ability to depict authentic characters in some sort of emotional meltdown is one of her strongest traits as is her ability to capture a raw and uncompromising approach to her very human stories. Morvern Callar is a hugely impressive work from Ramsay. It's minimalist in its style yet filled with such an unconventional beauty and despair and this is largely channeled by an exceptionally brilliant performance by Samantha Morton. There are many who may find its subject matter morbid or it's pace overly lethargic but therein lies the films artistry.
    Mark W Super Reviewer
  • Jan 04, 2014
    Ramsay's minimalist scope is truly hypnotic, applying a flamboyant approach to loss, and a near-to-poetic approach to death. This incredibly talented and introspective female filmmaker constructs a character study difficult to dissect regarding the main character's intentions, and still not so difficult to empathize with. It has a delicate nature of its own, like a young soul discovering the world and its wonders when given the opportunity instead of drowning oneself into the existentialist state of "crying over spilt milk". Featuring one of my favorite soundtracks in cinema, <i>Morvern Callar</i> (I love that name) offers a refreshing take on what can be seen as a personal adventure of self-discovery, and about not rejecting unexpected opportunities regardless of where they were originated from, because all experiences can lead to personal growth, as long as you give those experiences such permission. This feels more like a debut, and precisely, this was intended to be Ramsay's first project, but directed and completed <i>Ratcatcher</i> (1999) before she could get additional funds for this offbeat project. It is a wonderful movie that has Samantha Morton's best performance considering her complex character. 97/100
    Edgar C Super Reviewer
  • Jul 11, 2012
    Soooooo slooooooow....
    Cynthia S Super Reviewer
  • Apr 04, 2012
    I really liked watching this film, Lynne Ramsey is a great film-maker. Unfortunately, half the time watching this film I spent admiring the direction rather than the narrative.
    Hassan V Super Reviewer
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