Return 2011

Stephen Holden, New York Times: You admire these characters for their considerable resilience while understanding that even the best-intentioned people can break under the stress. Read more

Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out: It's what indie filmmaking ought to be. Read more

David Edelstein, New York Magazine/Vulture: This quiet, naturalistic film has a classical arc and a lingering sting. Read more

Noel Murray, AV Club: Return is unusually attuned to its protagonist's alienation, which is especially painful because its source isn't some horrendous event she witnessed, but the hundreds of annoying aspects of everyday life. Read more

Sheri Linden, Los Angeles Times: With its modest scale and sharp observations, writer-director Liza Johnson's first feature has the quiet impact of a short story. Read more

Stanley Kauffmann, The New Republic: The writer-director is Liza Johnson, an artist, making her first picture and doing it with considerable grace. Read more

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: Johnson's feel for the rhythms of reconnection are steady, and she and her fine actors make "Return" one of only a handful of films to honestly address what to many is heartbreaking reality. Read more

Lou Lumenick, New York Post: Sincerity and restraint can be good things in independent movies, but not when you run the risk of putting the audience to sleep... Read more

Rex Reed, New York Observer: A bargain-budget bore by writer-director Liza Johnson about a female soldier back from a tour of active duty in Iraq who cannot adjust to life at home. Read more

Dana Stevens, Slate: Finally someone has written a really good role for Linda Cardellini -- a big, prickly, demanding role that puts her onscreen in literally every scene -- and it's a thrill to watch her operating at full throttle. Read more

Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice: Firmly in the unassuming indie vein, Return treads lightly and leaves little imprint. Read more