Fat Kid Rules the World 2012

Nicolas Rapold, New York Times: A relatively respectable slice of high school outsider storytelling. Read more

John Hartl, Seattle Times: Lillard - an actor best-known for his role in "The Descendants" - uses the locations well enough, but the result is still a standard coming-of-age picture. Read more

Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader: The depiction of high school band life rings true at every turn, bringing a sense of authenticity to the familiar teenage drama. Read more

John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter: K.L. Going's celebrated young-adult novel gets sensitive adaptation by actor-turned-director Matthew Lillard. Read more

Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times: Endearingly uneven. Read more

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: Billy Campbell adds solid support as Troy's overprotective dad. Wanting so much to save his son from pain, this father becomes a jerk in the process. Read more

Kyle Smith, New York Post: The title character may be morbidly obese, but the jokes and story are thin in the coming-of-age dramedy "Fat Kid Rules the World." Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: It's a lot better than it sounds like it has any right to be. Read more

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: The movie is achingly slow, and by the time it's over, the story is about where it should have been after about 45 minutes. Read more

Linda Barnard, Toronto Star: Punctuated by cartoonish fantasy scenes and some adult moments that take it to darker territory, Fat Kid Rules the World is simple stuff that offers a few surprises and a satisfying, if predictable, finish. Read more

Joe Leydon, Variety: Affecting performances and effective storytelling are the hallmarks of Fat Kid Rules the World, actor Matthew Lillard's debut effort as a feature director. Read more

Sherilyn Connelly, Village Voice: The film succeeds thanks to Lillard's clear affection for the material and on the strength of its performances, especially Billy Campbell as Troy's conflicted father. Read more