72
Metascore
13 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 90The New York TimesStephen HoldenThe New York TimesStephen HoldenDonald Cried is an acutely insightful, exquisitely written and acted triumph for Mr. Avedisian, who understands how the past permanently clings to us.
- 80VarietyNick SchagerVarietyNick SchagerIn virtually every closeup, Donald Cried practically seethes with barely suppressed emotion, though Avedisian cannily couches his characters’ very real, raw feelings amid a ridiculousness born of Donald’s wholesale weirdness.
- 80Village VoiceSerena DonadoniVillage VoiceSerena DonadoniIn a bitterly funny performance, Avedisian lets Donald's freak flag fly, a big-toothed grin lighting up his face, framed by a shaggy haircut not deliberate enough to be a mullet.
- 75The Film StageEthan VestbyThe Film StageEthan VestbyAvedisian, as a director, certainly leaves the film to him and his fellow performers to dominate, but not so much in the sense of ostentatious close-ups of heartfelt monologues — rather by capturing the uncomfortable physical confrontations between everybody.
- 75Slant MagazineElise NakhnikianSlant MagazineElise NakhnikianFinding the drama and humor in everyday situations like these isn't easy, but Avedisian makes it look as natural as swinging on a vine.
- 70Los Angeles TimesRobert AbeleLos Angeles TimesRobert AbeleTouches of empathy and self-awareness invariably crystallize the unsettling emotions of revisiting one’s past life.
- 67The A.V. ClubMike D'AngeloThe A.V. ClubMike D'AngeloThe film’s gradual shift from broad yuk-fest toward something closer to indie drama (while still striving to be funny) isn’t wholly successful; it’s difficult to achieve the catharsis of, say, Kelly Reichardt’s "Old Joy" when you start out like "Napoleon Dynamite." But at least Avedisian tried.
- 50The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckThe Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckDonald Cries demonstrates that cringeworthy isn’t necessarily the same as funny.
- 38RogerEbert.comNick AllenRogerEbert.comNick AllenIn the true spirit of this profoundly uninteresting movie, Donald Cried can only shrug through its central notion that men will be sad boys.