A Thousand Years of Good Prayers
Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: September 19, 2008 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
64
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews
Positive:
10
Mixed:
5
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
88
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
In observing the reality of this relationship, Wang contemplates the "generation gap" in modern societies all over the world. His film quietly, carefully, movingly observes how these two people of the same blood will never be able to understand each other, and the younger one won't even care to. Read full review
83
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
A spare, controlled study in communication gaps and a piercing sketch of suburban American loneliness. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
Rich in revealing detail and apt in its use of everyday Spokane settings, A Thousand Years of Good Prayers shows that Wang remains a master explorer of the landscape of the human heart. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleReyhan Harmanci
Has a jangly, improvisational tone, with nuanced moments of humor and pathos. Read full review
75
Boston GlobeTy Burr
The movie is almost willfully dull, for its real subject is everything we never say to our parents, or they to us. Read full review
75
New York PostV.A. Musetto
An intelligent look at family dynamics set in a boring Washington State suburb where Bible-thumping Mormons come knocking on your door. Read full review
75
Christian Science MonitorRobert Koehler
Wang's A Thousand Years of Good Prayers gives the impression of a director reborn, or at least a director who has his mojo back. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeFore
Modest but moving, a finely observed portrait of a father/daughter relationship that will resonate deeply for many viewers. Read full review
70
Village VoiceAaron Hillis
There's nothing earth-shattering going on here, but it's a film you'll want to befriend. Read full review
70
The New York TimesNathan Lee
A gentle, pleasantly unrushed piece of moviemaking. There’s a tonic simplicity to how it gets the job done, and if the film comes off as fairly conventional stuff, it nevertheless succeeds on its own modest, middlebrow terms. Read full review
60
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
Very little actually happens, since most of the time Mr. Shi sits alone in Yilan's empty apartment, wondering how to help her. But there's a gentle beauty in these long, anguished silences, and Wang and his actors make the most of it. Read full review
50
Washington PostNeely Tucker
May leave you longing for a story to make you care. Read full review
50
Chicago ReaderJoshua Katzman
As in most of Wang's films, a memorable cast of characters compensates for a serviceable plot. Read full review
50
VarietyTodd McCarthy
A quiet work with Ozu-like structure and concerns, but remains more an intellectual exercise than one from the heart. Read full review
42
The A.V. ClubTasha Robinson
Most of the film isn't as willing to reach out to viewers, and most won't be willing to do all the work in order to connect with it. Read full review
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