A Talking Picture

Name: A Talking Picture
Genre: Drama, History, Comedy, War
Released: December 10, 2004
Duration: 96 min
Rating: 77

2004

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 10 Ratings

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5.7

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5.7	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 10 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

| Release Date: December 10, 2004 | Not Rated

Summary: A young history professor and her seven-year-old daughter embark on a cruise through the Mediterranean Sea and befriend three famous women of different nationalities. [Kino International]

Director: Manoel de Oliveira

Genre(s): Drama, History, Comedy, War

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 96 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Deborah Young

A film destined to divide Manoel de Oliveira's fans but also to win him new ones, A Talking Picture is his simplest, most linear story in memory. Read full review

100

David Sterritt

As a nonagenarian, de Oliveira is the world's oldest working filmmaker, and still one of the best. This is a lovely, lively, timely treat for the eyes and mind. Read full review

Manohla Dargis

In both its intellectual reach and the elegant simplicity of its form, A Talking Picture bears resemblance to Andrei Sokurov's "Russian Ark." Read full review

Kevin Thomas

An honest title for a film that is almost entirely conversation. Yet its rich contemplative tone proves deceptive, for its director, Portugal's preeminent filmmaker Manoel de Oliveira, at 96, still knows how to pack a wallop. Read full review

V.A. Musetto

Moves along its tranquil way until about five minutes before the closing credits, when it turns into a terrorist thriller. Read full review

Walter Addiego

A potent and troubling meditation on the state of Western society. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Ken Fox

This intermittently interesting symbolic tour through European history once again places ideas over aesthetics and technique. Read full review

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User Reviews

ChadS.

Mar 27, 2006

The little girl is innocent, but her mother, an academic, should've known what ownership of that doll signified. The climax is unsettling, yet its full impact is somewhat undermined by the maverick, yet ungainly way the film is structured. "A Talking Picture" sputters when we pull away The little girl is innocent, but her mother, an academic, should've known what ownership of that doll signified. The climax is unsettling, yet its full impact is somewhat undermined by the maverick, yet ungainly way the film is structured. "A Talking Picture" sputters when we pull away from the history professor and her daughter, and centers on the small party at the captain's table. There's an intellectual reason for this gambit, but it's exceedingly long and boring. On the other hand, the exceedingly long conversations in which the mother imparts knowledge to her inquisitive little girl, either through her or with help from a local, are also tedious, but the history lessons, while boring us, act as a form of parental love.… Expand

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EduardR.

Feb 20, 2006

I thought this was an excellent film with a stark and poignant commentary on the muslims' answer to our modern civilization.

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DanC.

Jan 29, 2006

Horrible, pretentious, art-house fare. And this from a viewer who likes (good) art house movies and foreign films! This film reminds me of bad free jazz - comprehensible only to those who play (or direct) it, alienating to and dismissive of the audience, self-consciously "serious" without Horrible, pretentious, art-house fare. And this from a viewer who likes (good) art house movies and foreign films! This film reminds me of bad free jazz - comprehensible only to those who play (or direct) it, alienating to and dismissive of the audience, self-consciously "serious" without having a shred of entertainment or passion to it. I hated this film, all the more so becuase the premise has so much potential. But the terrible, stilted dialogue with John Malkovich and his three international ladies is at once excruciating, embarrassing, and boring. This is the kind of European film that is funded entirely by the government, makes no impact, has nothing to say, and represents the vanity of the director and little else. Zero stars.… Expand

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