Enigma
Manhattan Pictures International | Release Date: April 19, 2002 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
64
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews
Positive:
22
Mixed:
11
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
New Times (L.A.)Jean Oppenheimer
Certainly a terrific sense of urgency underlies the story and Tom's desperation over Claire is palpable, but that may not be enough for viewers who actually like to understand how the riddle is unraveling. Read full review
60
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
Achieves a dullness that defies its pedigree and its story's potential. Read full review
60
SalonCharles Taylor
Director Michael Apted does a smooth, competent job, but like almost all his work, Enigma lacks excitement and a vivid personality. Read full review
50
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
Given his way with witty banter, Stoppard's obvious, even leaden, dialogue is especially disappointing; director Michael Apted's handling of the story's frequent flashbacks is equally infelicitous. Read full review
50
L.A. WeeklyPaul Malcolm
It's all part of a larger calculus that the filmmakers hope will translate into a thinking person's thriller. If only they themselves knew how to figure it. Read full review
50
Miami HeraldConnie Ogle
The idea of cracking a secret message from the enemy during war is thrilling; making the process interesting to watch is more problematic. Read full review
42
Seattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam Arnold
All these good elements have resulted in a movie that is not so much awful as mediocre, disconnected and ultimately incomprehensible. Read full review
42
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
A turgid muddle of romance, espionage, and geek valor, despite intimations that it might have turned into ''A Reasonably Dapper-Looking Mind.'' Read full review
40
New York Magazine (Vulture)Peter Rainer
Stoppard and his director, Michael Apted, must be aware of how dry their film is, because periodically they work in little thriller divertimenti -- car chases and such -- that only serve to point up how un-thrilling everything is. Read full review
40
The New York TimesDana Stevens
The mystery of Enigma is how a rich historical subject, combined with so much first-rate talent -- a highly capable (if not always exciting) director, a fine English cast, a script by Tom Stoppard -- could have yielded such a flat, plodding picture. Read full review
40
The New YorkerAnthony Lane
Enigma is, to be blunt, "No way Out" meets "Revenge of the Nerds," and the meetinhg is not a happy one. [22 & 29 April 2002, p. 208]
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