Alone in Berlin
IFC Films | Release Date: January 13, 2017 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
52
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews
Positive:
5
Mixed:
10
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperFeb 10, 2017
When Alone in Berlin reaches the end of its journey, it’s the performances of Gleeson and Thompson that ensure we’ll never forget the bravery of Otto and Anna. Read full review
75
ObserverRex ReedJan 18, 2017
As valiant and important as the film is, Alone in Berlin is not perfect. The director is the French actor Vincent Perez, whose commitment to the material is obvious, but whose lack of experience (it’s only his third effort behind the camera) shows badly. Read full review
70
Village VoiceAbbey BenderJan 11, 2017
While not the most formally adventurous or action-packed picture, it is a film of compelling urgency. Read full review
67
The PlaylistJessica KiangJan 12, 2017
There is always something of value in the sincere recreation of ordinary heroism. And Perez’ film does sincere if ordinary justice to the idea that where there is a will for it, resistance can find a way, be it so small as to be postcard-sized. Read full review
63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Brad WheelerMay 25, 2017
A modest, hard-faced film, offering a nervous study of humanity and civil disobedience in a societal-bullying era. Read full review
60
Total FilmNeil SmithAug 11, 2017
Too solemn to keep us invested in its heroes’ mission or fate. Read full review
60
EmpireIan FreerJun 19, 2017
A well-made Euro pudding, Alone In Berlin, like The Book Thief, can’t find the depths, darkness or daring to stand out. Read full review
60
Los Angeles TimesJustin ChangJan 19, 2017
Alone in Berlin is ultimately hobbled by its own cinematic inertia, its inability to reimagine the past with the kind of intensity that would also speak to the present. Read full review
60
VarietyGuy LodgeJan 12, 2017
Tastefully lit and art-directed throughout, with a somberly mellifluous Alexandre Desplat score to ease it along, this fact-based drama finally cushions its harshest emotional blows, though Brendan Gleeson’s deeply sad, stoic dignity in the lead cuts through some of the padding. Read full review
60
The GuardianAndrew PulverJan 12, 2017
Filmed with competence rather than actual verve, Alone in Berlin works – just about. There’s enough of a thriller about it to hold the interest, even if it’s a bit on the stodgy side. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterBoyd van HoeijJan 12, 2017
Handsomely packaged, the film unfortunately is also too well-behaved and lacking in psychological depth to really set itself apart from countless other WWII dramas. Read full review
50
The A.V. ClubMike D'AngeloJan 11, 2017
A lump in the throat inspired by real-life heroism is all that this dour, monotonous drama has to offer. Indeed, it’s easy to guess that the story is fact-based—it’s far too blah to have been invented from scratch. Read full review
40
CineVueHarriet WarmanJan 12, 2017
Though Anna and Otto's story is undoubtedly a fascinating example of the necessity of resistance and Perez is clearly a skilful director of actors, there's something anticlimactic about Alone in Berlin. Read full review
40
The TelegraphTim RobeyJan 12, 2017
Pérez relies on his cast to do what they can with sketchily written roles, and also to pull off that dodgiest of acting tasks, speaking English with a pronounced German accent – something the stars curiously manage with much more shading and conviction than the mostly Teutonic supporting cast. Read full review
40
The New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisJan 12, 2017
Adapted from Hans Fallada’s 1947 novel (and based on a true story), Alone in Berlin is dour and flavorless. Read full review
25
Slant MagazineKeith WatsonJan 9, 2017
The film attempts a tone of tragic understatement that registers instead as flat, plodding, and underfelt. Read full review
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