Barrymore 2012

Manohla Dargis, New York Times: Mr. Plummer stumbles beautifully, poignantly and often, leering and searching through a haze of memory or, with concern edged with panic, calling for "a line, a line" much as Richard III calls for a horse. Read more

David Edelstein, New York Magazine/Vulture: God, I love Plummer's performance -- the twiddling fingers, the tipsy sway of the head, the reverberating roar, as well as the pathos of a man who can't stop acting long enough to hear the cry of his own soul. Read more

Rex Reed, New York Observer: Plummer is the one-man show at the center of this one-man vehicle. He will leave you stunned and cheering. Read more

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: You wish you could be seeing this performance live, as it's meant to be seen - but lacking that, "Barrymore" on the big screen provides its own thrills. Read more

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: Plummer is marvelous, flitting between reminiscence and Shakespearean recitation as a gifted artist aware of his own wretchedness. Read more

John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter: Despite some stylistic missteps, showcase for Plummer's Tony-winning performance will captivate theater fans. Read more

Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: It was brilliant as a one-man stage show; it was never a good candidate for film. Read more

Stanley Kauffmann, The New Republic: The interest is in Plummer himself-who he is, what he can do. Read more

David Hinckley, New York Daily News: Plummer commands the stage as easily and firmly as Barrymore must have. He makes us believe that Barrymore would indeed, as he tries to reach deep into his past and revive Richard, keep recalling his wives or breaking in to sing a pop song of the day. Read more

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: While Plummer acts his heart out, the script becomes one punchline after another. Read more

Lou Lumenick, New York Post: Plummer's Barrymore shows flashes of glory as he delivers bits and pieces of various Shakespearean roles. Read more

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: Mr. Plummer stumbles beautifully, poignantly and often, leering and searching through a haze of memory or, with concern edged with panic, calling for 'a line, a line' much as Richard III calls for a horse. Read more

David Fear, Time Out: This isn't a film, it's a recording of canned ham-tasty, certainly, but creaky nonetheless. Read more

Robert Crew, Toronto Star: Effortless charm has always been a characteristic of Plummer's performance, and here he wields it to considerable effect. Read more

Robert Bianco, USA Today: Think of it as one great performer saluting another. Read more

Dennis Harvey, Variety: The material itself has a formulaic solo-bioplay rhythm neither performer nor director can fully elude. Read more

Ernest Hardy, Village Voice: A wistful look at faded dreams and opportunities lost due to both the vagaries of the business and self-sabotage. Read more