Liam: Critic Reviews

MovieWeb: 0 reviews

70%

RottenTomatoes: 50 reviews

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Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly (Top Critic)

50

Is this fussy folderol the only way to teach that it's wrong to hate? According to Frears, 'tis.
Full Review » 11 years ago
Michael O'Sullivan Washington Post (Top Critic)

90

A heartbreakingly beautiful film.
Full Review » 11 years ago
Stephen Hunter Washington Post (Top Critic)

90

A vivid, intense evocation of a ... time and place.
Full Review » 11 years ago
Jay Carr Boston Globe (Top Critic)

75

Stephen Frears makes every note count for a lot in this beautifully gauged microcosm of big emotions expressed in small gestures.
Full Review » 11 years ago
Jane Sumner Dallas Morning News (Top Critic)

A welcome if somewhat familiar picture.
Full Review » 11 years ago
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times (Top Critic)

88

The film is built on strong performances.
Full Review » 11 years ago
Michael Wilmington Chicago Tribune (Top Critic)

A strong, shaggy, very perceptive film and also a funny one.
Full Review » 11 years ago
Steven Rea Philadelphia Inquirer (Top Critic)

75

Borrows' Liam -- well, they found the right kid, without a doubt.
Full Review » 11 years ago
Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune (Top Critic)

50

Liam is largely devoid of emotion. He's a detached, distanced observer, and it's hard for the viewer not to feel the same way.
Full Review » 10 years ago
Charles Taylor Salon.com (Top Critic)

It's been beautifully made with tact and care.
Full Review » 11 years ago
Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times (Top Critic)

90

Complex, heartbreaking, beautifully made.
Full Review » 11 years ago
Harry Guerin RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)

60

Better suited to the intimacy of television than a cinema outing.
Full Review » 9 years ago
Dennis Schwartz Ozus' World Movie Reviews

42

...its dramatic efforts are contrived and strain credibility.
Full Review » 9 years ago
Jean Lowerison San Diego Metropolitan

It is an ugly story with the ring of truth, and could hardly be more timely.
Full Review » 10 years ago
Margaret A. McGurk Cincinnati Enquirer

88

A dark, disturbing and vivid portrait of how the toxic fuels of poverty and powerlessness are transmuted into violent religious and ethnic hatred.
Full Review » 10 years ago
Scott Weinberg Apollo Guide

82

Stumbles a bit with a muddled final act, but it's not enough to mar this generally fine film.
Full Review » 10 years ago
Christopher Null Filmcritic.com

70

Frears has put enough heart into the movie to overcome its limitations.
Full Review » 10 years ago
Ted Murphy Baseline.Hollywood.com

90

Frears approaches the material in a humanistic and gentle manner and coaxes astonishingly assured performances from his young actors as well as the more veteran players.
Full Review » 10 years ago
Robert W. Butler Kansas City Star

Despite the downbeat nature of the project, Frears delivers moments of surprising humor, tenderness and even hope.
Full Review » 11 years ago
Claire Bickley Jam! Movies

60

Overwhelmed by personal agenda, and a religious one at that.
Full Review » 11 years ago
Jeff Vice Deseret News, Salt Lake City

As downbeat as some of Loach's movies are, they never sink to such overwrought, melodramatic depths or rely on as many unbelievable plot contrivances as does Liam.
Full Review » 11 years ago
Adam Nayman eye WEEKLY

80

An emotional investment well worth making -- the vision Frears creates is hard, but, even at its bleakest, recognizably human.
Full Review » 11 years ago
Joe Baltake Sacramento Bee

The harshness of his movie is affecting, never completely demoralizing.
Full Review » 11 years ago
Jim Lane Sacramento News & Review

60

Within the shopworn limits of McGovern's script, Frears and his actors make the most of things.
Full Review » 11 years ago
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality and Practice

A convincing drama about how the open-heartedness of an eight-year-old boy is dashed by the world-hating dogma of the church and the stranger-hating prejudice of his father.
Full Review » 11 years ago