Ironweed 1987

Dave Kehr, Chicago Tribune: Watching "Ironweed" is like having a large, metal object lodged in your brain for 2 1/2 hours. It hurts. Read more

Sheila Benson, Los Angeles Times: The film becomes becalmed and confusing; it lacks the novel's great unwavering trajectory. Read more

Janet Maslin, New York Times: Despite its nearly two-and-a-half-hour running time, its superstar cast and its $23 million budget, Mr. Babenco's ''Ironweed'' is skeletal, a mere outline of Mr. Kennedy's far more resonant book. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: Actors are said to like to play drunks, because it gives them an excuse for overacting. But there is not much visible "acting" in this movie; the actors are too good for that. Read more

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: At last, a real part for Nicholson to sink his teeth into. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: Unrelentingly bleak, Ironweed is a film without an audience and no reason for being except its own self-importance. Read more

Hal Hinson, Washington Post: Comes about as close to being an unmitigated waste of talent as any movie in recent memory. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: "Ironweed" is decent fare, not excellent. It gets by on the strength of the unexpected. Read more