Jack Goes Boating 2010

A.O. Scott, New York Times: As is so often the case in modest, aimless little movies like this one, it is the acting that saves Jack Goes Boating from triviality or worse. Read more

Aaron Hillis, Time Out: It's a mighty awkward adaptation for such an uncomplicated project... Read more

John Hartl, Seattle Times: Hoffman's direction is a mixture of skill and showiness. He's attentive to all the actors, but he can't resist cute camera angles and Fellini-esque touches that don't quite fit this story. Read more

Tasha Robinson, AV Club: The performances are strong, and Glaudini pulls the story forward largely on the sweet image of an adult gladly taking baby steps into a new world. Read more

Ty Burr, Boston Globe: This is one of those rare movies that genuinely likes its characters and wishes them the best; as agonizing as it can be to watch Jack fumble toward human connection, Hoffman knows the fumbling's the point. Read more

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader: Making his feature directing debut, Hoffman shows considerable generosity toward the other players, which was probably a good idea given his own listless performance as the mumbling title character. Read more

Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post: The movie's heart and story, both bleeding and mending, and its quartet of characters are hard to abandon -- and easy to care about. Read more

Tom Long, Detroit News: Hoffman the director can't compete with Hoffman the film's star. And he can pretty much just stand in wonder at the layers co-star Amy Ryan brings to the party. The woman is a natural wonder. Read more

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: Hoffman is stymied by the difficult task of transforming stage material into a movie; Jack Goes Boating's camera just sits there while actors act. Read more

Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times: It's an intimate, slice-of-life story in which things move deliberately, character goals are modest, and emotions -- both of the internal and external kind -- take center stage. Read more

Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: Read more

Anthony Lane, New Yorker: We get a scattering of those breathless hushes that, in the theatre, always make me wish I'd ordered a Scotch for the intermission. Yet there is, for all that, something impressive in the very doggedness of the project, and in Hoffman's dedication... Read more

Lou Lumenick, New York Post: The ruefully funny Jack Goes Boating, which, refreshingly, takes a generous view of its flawed characters, is a must for us many Hoffman fans. Read more

Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer: It belatedly reveals itself to be a meditation on the different kinds of loneliness, presenting isolation as a form of social stage fright. Read more

Richard Roeper, Richard Roeper.com: Philip Seymour Hoffman's directorial debut is a showcase for four passionate, authentic performances. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: The actors make it new and poignant, and avoid going over the top in the story's limited psychic and physical space. Even at their highest pitch, the emotions of these characters come from hearts long worn down by the troubles we see. Read more

Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: Making his debut behind the camera, Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman directs like he acts, with a sharp eye for the small details that cut to the soul of a character. Read more

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: Jack Goes Boating is a successful work of art. To see this movie is to feel that you've lived it. Read more

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: The best thing about Philip Seymour Hoffman's directing debut: It stars Philip Seymour Hoffman. Read more

Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The magnitude of the acting overshadows the modest reach of the material. Read more

Rick Groen, Globe and Mail: One of the most gifted actors of his generation, Philip Seymour Hoffman makes his debut behind the camera, even while starring in the title role, and the verdict is ... a deep disappointment. Read more

Linda Barnard, Toronto Star: Hoffman brings all the methodical excellence that has made him such a force as an actor to his first outing as a director with the tender story of awkward, middle-aged love, betrayal and consequences in Jack Goes Boating. Read more

Todd McCarthy, Variety: Hoffman brings a sympathetic touch to a small dramatic piece that recalls the warm-hearted "little people" dramas of the '50s. Read more

Dan Kois, Village Voice: [A] pleasure of a film. Read more

Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post: Read more