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The Death and Life of John F. Donovan finds writer-director Xavier Dolan flailing at profundity with a technically assured drama that never makes sense of its own ideas.
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All Critics (28) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (22)
From its contrived structure to its forced speechifying, this story... never acquires the emotional potency or coherence its themes demand. December 12, 2019 | Full Review…
From its contrived structure to its forced speechifying, this story... never acquires the emotional potency or coherence its themes demand.
Jeannette Catsoulis
In any case, what remains of John F. Donovan is a barely coherent mess, and so eager for your approval that it's hard to feel anything but sorry for it. December 11, 2019 | Rating: C- | Full Review…
In any case, what remains of John F. Donovan is a barely coherent mess, and so eager for your approval that it's hard to feel anything but sorry for it.
Mike D'Angelo
A work of stunning technique eclipsed by its increasingly jaw-dropping solipsism... September 13, 2018 | Full Review…
A work of stunning technique eclipsed by its increasingly jaw-dropping solipsism...
Peter Debruge
A spectacular mash of half-baked ideas... Well, that, and a movie that just got lost somewhere in the editing room. September 12, 2018 | Rating: C- | Full Review…
A spectacular mash of half-baked ideas... Well, that, and a movie that just got lost somewhere in the editing room.
Eric Kohn
[Dolan's] film falls victim to his worst tendencies. September 11, 2018 | Full Review…
[Dolan's] film falls victim to his worst tendencies.
Brian Tallerico
Dolan's English-language debut whinges about personal neuroses rather than probing homophobia or celebrity. September 11, 2018 | Rating: 1/4 | Full Review…
Dolan's English-language debut whinges about personal neuroses rather than probing homophobia or celebrity.
Kate Taylor
It's far from perfect, but still manages to be a fascinating attempt at exploring sexual identity, isolation and the consequences of fame. January 7, 2020 | Full Review…
It's far from perfect, but still manages to be a fascinating attempt at exploring sexual identity, isolation and the consequences of fame.
Marc Ricov
Convoluted gay-identity drama drags; drug abuse, smoking. December 19, 2019 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
Convoluted gay-identity drama drags; drug abuse, smoking.
Tara McNamara
Its spectacularity is almost asphyxiating, but... each frame is also an excuse to plunge into the euphoria of its drama. [Full review in Spanish] December 18, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Its spectacularity is almost asphyxiating, but... each frame is also an excuse to plunge into the euphoria of its drama. [Full review in Spanish]
Aitor Salinas
"The Death and Life of John F. Donovan" is a potentially powerful story, though one not successfully told in the slightest by Xavier Dolan. December 14, 2019 | Rating: 1.5/4 | Full Review…
"The Death and Life of John F. Donovan" is a potentially powerful story, though one not successfully told in the slightest by Xavier Dolan.
Joey Magidson
Intended as a complex examination of the emotional toll of celebrity, this drama instead feels as shallow and pretentious as the characters it portrays. December 13, 2019 | Full Review…
Intended as a complex examination of the emotional toll of celebrity, this drama instead feels as shallow and pretentious as the characters it portrays.
Todd Jorgenson
Dolan's most conventional film, and consequently the dullest. [Full review in French] August 28, 2019 | Full Review…
Dolan's most conventional film, and consequently the dullest. [Full review in French]
Kevin N. Laforest
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