Just Like a Woman 2013

Peter Keough, Boston Globe: Bouchareb fails to turn his outsider's point of view into new insights, and instead takes the easy route, falling back on familiar stereotypes in his tour of US misogyny and xenophobia. Read more

Miriam Bale, New York Times: It's a shame Ms. Miller has to try so hard, to grimace so much, to add emotional embellishment to compensate for a weak script. Read more

Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic: This well-intentioned buddy-road-trip flick lacks the danger, the drama and the sex appeal that most moviegoers will be looking for. Read more

Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com: The problem with the film, directed by France's Rachid Bouchareb from a script by Joelle Touma and Marion Doussot, is that the men are mostly one-dimensional louts. Read more

Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times: Like belly-dancing itself, this drama is meant for the soul, not the mind - or as Marilyn's instructor commands, "Brains! Stop using them!" Read more

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: Just like its meaningless title, Rachid Bouchareb's disappointing drama evokes better works without developing any distinct identity of its own. Read more

Farran Smith Nehme, New York Post: [Miller and Farahani] give strong performances as women bonding over their delight in both movement and their own beauty. Read more

David Fear, Time Out: Movies genuinely attuned to the nuances of female bonding are regrettably rare; so, it seems, are ones that know how to make good on their promise without breaking just like a little girl. Read more

Nick Schager, Village Voice: A multicultural mini-Thelma and Louise but far duller than that description implies, Just Like a Woman peddles feminist empowerment with one-note didacticism. Read more