Cracks 2009

Stephen Holden, New York Times: In many ways "Cracks" is lurid and rickety. But its gripping ensemble performances lend it an emotional intensity that outweighs its shortcomings. Read more

John Anderson, Wall Street Journal: Worth seeing just to watch Ms. Green ride that teacher right off the rails. Read more

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: "Cracks" is a moody, often lurid tale of rivalry and repression. Read more

Noel Murray, AV Club: For much of Cracks' first two-thirds, Scott and company avoid the obvious melodramatic beats and just let the story unfold, even as the narrative shifts its attention from character to character. Read more

Sam Adams, Los Angeles Times: The pieces never form a convincing, or coherent, whole. Read more

Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: Although Green is the sort of actress you can't take your eyes off , her presence is not enough to keep this movie from becoming mired in a slow and predictable rut. Read more

V.A. Musetto, New York Post: "Cracks" recalls any number of girls-school dramas, like the much better "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" (1969). Read more

Rex Reed, New York Observer: There is so little dialogue of any significance that I can't figure out why the film is credited with three screenwriters, but Ms. Scott knows what to do with the camera to show dark psychological forces at work... Read more

Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer: While Scott's movie has a consistent aura, it lacks a consistent tone. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: Driven more by characters and relationships than narrative, Cracks explores the exclusionary power of cliques that develop within a closed society, the single-minded violence of the mob mentality, and the seductive charm of the charismatic individual. Read more

Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Cracks" is a bit of a knock-off, but it's a sturdily assembled vessel for a promising director and cast. Read more

Nina Caplan, Time Out: Scott has fashioned a film as ponderous as it is obvious, weighed down by a string-heavy soundtrack and achingly slow editing. Read more

Ella Taylor, Village Voice: All of which is heavy-breathing fun until an ill-judged lapse into Lord of the Flies territory and a Jean Rhys-ian climax all but bury the message about the evils of repression. Read more