Reviews provided by RottenTomatoes
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News: Read more
Susan Stark, Detroit News: The script by Don Roos, who also directed, makes good use of the dramatic irony. Read more
Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News: The time has come for unsparing truths: Has there ever been a duller Hollywood duo than Ben & Gwyn? Read more
Peter Howell, Toronto Star: Roos has taken a far-fetched and soapy story about tragic fate and redemptive second chances and made it seem not only plausible, but worthy of serious discussion. Read more
Stephen Holden, New York Times: This touching, finely wrought bowl of suds is a seamless piece of work. Read more
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: As a director, [Roos] brings a keen eye for character and nuance to his writer-side's lapses. Read more
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: About as moving as a month-old Kleenex. Read more
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle: By letting star power and commercial considerations warp good storytelling judgment, Roos has shortchanged his own movie, not to mention the audience. Read more
Steven Rosen, Denver Post: A mopey romantic contrivance, with a touch of strained comedy, that maybe is slightly better than last year's Random Hearts but still tedious. Read more
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: A romantic drama of lovely, modest, and all too rare understatement. Read more
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail: Two movies in one -- lively when people are talking, lame when things are happening. Read more
John Anderson, Newsday: [Paltrow and Affleck] are very attractive people but don't give the impression they've ever lost anything other than their way to an Oscar after-party. Read more
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: I wanted [Buddy and Abby] to become lovers, which means they sold me on themselves. Read more
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com: To my taste, [Buddy and Abby] don't sync up. They're just not right for each other. I fretted for both of them, in a way that didn't serve the movie well. Read more
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle: The movie never really works because it's hard to root for a screen romance when one of the actors is stiff and unsympathetic. Read more
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post: It's a love story, yes, but one whose sweetness is cut by honest performances, a sharply drawn supporting cast and a fairly serious, yet never self-pitying, tone. Read more