Lilting 2014

Sara Stewart, New York Post: Cultures and generations clash and mesh in the aftermath of a young man's death in "Lilting," a quietly unique meditation on love and loss from Cambodian director Hong Khaou. Read more

Justin Chang, Variety: Hong Khaou makes a fine debut with this quietly resonant cross-cultural chamber piece. Read more

Vadim Rizov, AV Club: Woefully inadequate. Read more

Peter Keough, Boston Globe: A more fitting title for the film would be "Limping." Read more

David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter: Delicate and unhurried almost to a fault, though also hauntingly sexy and even humorous at times. Read more

Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: Despite a strong start, the filmmaker doesn't exactly know where to go with it. Still, there are moments before things get away from him that are captivating to watch and lovely to listen to, lilting. Read more

Ella Taylor, NPR: Ungovernable gusts of longing, grief and anger leak from this muted British chamber piece about two hitherto unconnected Londoners struggling with the loss of the young man they both loved. Read more

Manohla Dargis, New York Times: As it turns out, even Junn's crankiness lacks conviction. Read more

Tirdad Derakhshani, Philadelphia Inquirer: Hong, who makes his feature debut here, has a masterful command of rhythm, beautifully weaving each strand of the narrative around that momentous opening scene. Read more

Thomas Lee, San Francisco Chronicle: Guilt hangs over "Lilting," a suffocating haze so thick that it permeates every unspoken, non-understood word between characters trying to traverse a frustrating gulf of language and grief. Read more

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: If "Lilting" was a play, it would run for months. Read more

Dave Calhoun, Time Out: This is a quiet, thoughtful London-set study of love, grief and cultural differences. Read more

Abby Garnett, Village Voice: It's difficult to make a compelling film that begins in the midst of emotional disconnect, and Khaou never quite finds his rhythm ... Read more

Stephanie Merry, Washington Post: It is, as the title suggests, sweet - but also slight. Read more