Casse-tête chinois 2013

Kyle Smith, New York Post: Cedric Klapisch's film is meandering and cutesy, but his characters are endearing and every so often he comes up with a deft insight, such as how this city's streets are like a flayed zombie. Read more

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: "Chinese Puzzle" is a likable, meandering film, much like its main character, complete with moments of whimsical creativity ... Read more

Charles Gant, Variety: Bringing an appreciative outsider's perspective to the sights, sounds and polyglot energy of New York, Klapisch and his collaborators ensure that the two hours whiz by decoratively and entertainingly. Read more

Mike D'Angelo, AV Club: If there must be a fourth movie in the series, waiting 15 or 20 years before making it might be the best idea. Read more

Barbara VanDenburgh, Arizona Republic: The film flits from one subplot to another and not in that delightfully freewheeling European kind of way. Read more

Peter Keough, Boston Globe: "Puzzle" is neither puzzling nor much fun. Read more

Tom Long, Detroit News: An amiably daffy look at perpetual adolescence, French-style. Read more

Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com: A deliciously sweet confection of cinematic froth that lives up to its predecessors' sense of romantic fun. Read more

Leslie Felperin, Hollywood Reporter: Klapisch and his avatar Xavier have a genial affection for nearly everyone they meet, and that open-hearted embrace of plurality and difference, that inquisitive interest in other cultures, is one of the things that's made the trilogy endearing. Read more

Sheri Linden, Los Angeles Times: The ground-level view of New York - high-energy, semi-farcical - avoids cliches while finding its own romantic pulse with Duris' charmer the compelling center of the buoyant and bittersweet storm. Read more

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: None of the pieces here quite fit together, but it's still often amusing to watch everyone's attempts. Read more

Stephen Holden, New York Times: Settle back and savor Mr. Klapisch's valentine to New York and appreciate its rose-colored vision of the city as seen through European eyes. Read more

Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: It's all very busy, and cute, and, um, French ... Read more

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: Klapisch still gets these characters to sneak up and make us care about them - though it might help if you remember them from when they were young. Read more

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: A hectic, convoluted French comedy about a Parisian novelist and the three women in his life. Read more

Mary Houlihan, Chicago Sun-Times: Once the story picks up, it's easy, breezy and enjoyable. It seduces you into thinking: Wouldn't it be fun to reconnect with Xavier in another five years or so? Read more

Carla Sosenko, Time Out: Ultimately Puzzle lacks the magic of its predecessors. Read more

Heather Baysa, Village Voice: Over a decade since the series started, it's still that same earnest tribute to the thrills of taking on a new locale. Read more

Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine/Vulture: Chinese Puzzle isn't much of a story, but in leaning into and embracing its complications Klapisch is able to isolate little instances - exchanges, glances, fragments from which he can mine profundity. Read more

John DeFore, Washington Post: Viewers coming to this film without having seen the others would have no problem following the action; whether they'd care about it is another question. Read more