Citizens Band
Paramount Pictures | Release Date: May 18, 1977 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
68
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews
Positive:
5
Mixed:
2
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
The New YorkerPauline Kael
A high-spirited, elegantly deadpan comedy, with a mellow, light touch.
75
Chicago ReaderDave Kehr
Demme is satirical but never cruel, and sweet but never syrupy: this film marked the emergence of one of the most appealing directorial personalities of the New Hollywood. Read full review
70
Time OutStaff (Not Credited)
The film uses the CB craze as a metaphor for lack of human communication, and proceeds in a somewhat elliptical manner, but the alternation of moments of black humour and funny-sad incidents lends it a considerable charm. Read full review
70
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
The CB dialog exemplifies the good-natured horsing around that marks those channels, at the same time the serious emergency traffic that often saves lives. Read full review
70
NewsweekDavid Ansen
Demme has lots of fun, and, aided by a fresh, talented cast, he artfully modulates his moods from raunchy farce to somber pathos. [17 Oct 1977, p.102]
60
The New York TimesJanet Maslin
Citizen's Band, is so clever that its seams show. Mr. Demme's tidiest parallels and most purposeful compositions are such attention-getters that the film has a hard time turning serious for its finale, in which characters who couldn't communicate directly come to understand one another at long last. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
An early and sometimes funny effort by director Demme but the hilarity of the subplots (especially the bigamous Napier) swallows the main storyline. Read full review
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