The World Made Straight 2015

Kyle Smith, New York Post: Though the film, based on a Ron Rash novel, doesn't quite deliver on all its grim portents, debut director David Burris creates a neo-Faulknerian atmosphere of indelible sin in a story that rises above cliche. Read more

Dennis Harvey, Variety: This evenly paced drama holds interest with its uneasy character dynamics, interesting milieu and effective performances, though a story so frequently on the verge of violence ought to build more tension than Burris manages. Read more

Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com: The performances are strong... and Earle is particularly memorable. The film glows with a dark energy when he's on screen. But it's too long, has a musical soundtrack that's often intrusive, and sometimes sags when it should be taut with tension Read more

Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter: Fine performances compensate for the overwrought elements of this rural-set drama. Read more

Sheri Linden, Los Angeles Times: A strong sense of place emerges, if not a consuming narrative, as the filmmaker strains to connect a 1970s coming-of-age story to historical records and bigger thematic arcs - namely, bloodlines and bloodshed in a rural community. Read more

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: A palpable sense of environment and strong performances from Noah Wyle and musician Steve Earle can't balance the extensive flaws in this unconvincing Appalachian melodrama. Read more

Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times: An overcooked adaptation of a novel by Ron Rash. Read more

Tirdad Derakhshani, Philadelphia Inquirer: The film illustrates how the most powerful and welcome stabilizing forces in human life - history, family, geography - can turn so easily into deadly traps. Read more

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: Jeremy Irvine is the sympathetic focus, but it's Noah Wyle who holds the movie together, as a former teacher who lost his job through a malicious student's prank. Read more

Michael Nordine, Village Voice: That's an intriguing question about life and fate, albeit one this film - about a chance discovery setting off an old vendetta - doesn't fully see through. Read more