In the Shadow of Women
Distrib Films | Release Date: January 15, 2016 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
74
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews
Positive:
13
Mixed:
1
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
Village VoiceMelissa AndersonOct 8, 2015
In so shrewdly exploring the illusions — namely (self-) deception — required to keep a dyad functioning, Garrel shows just how much we all remain, consciously or not, in the dark. Read full review
90
VarietyScott FoundasMay 20, 2015
A tightly focused romantic drama that exudes the narrative terseness of a good short story and the lucid craftsmanship of a filmmaker in full command of the medium. Read full review
80
Time OutJoshua RothkopfJan 13, 2016
Even as the trio heads into a complicated dance of multiple infidelities, In the Shadow of Women never villainizes any of them. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterBoyd van HoeijMay 20, 2015
Initially somewhat wispy-feeling, this 72-minute feature transforms in its final reel from an ironic divertissement to a work of considerable feeling and intensity. Read full review
75
Boston GlobeTy BurrMar 10, 2016
In the Shadow of Women, a portrait of a troubled French marriage, has the simplicity and subtle punch of a good short story. Read full review
75
RogerEbert.comChristy LemireJan 15, 2016
Garrel judges none of these people for their bad choices, but rather acknowledges that these things happen all time. It’s a sentiment as timeless as the look of the picture, a French New Wave throwback shot on 35mm film which could take place decades ago or in the current day. C’est la vie. Read full review
75
The A.V. ClubIgnatiy VishnevetskyJan 13, 2016
Shot on black-and-white film that has the luster of hard coal, In The Shadow Of Women is often quite beautiful—and it has some jokes, too. Read full review
75
New York PostFarran Smith NehmeJan 13, 2016
Garrel’s ideas on both are pretty old-fashioned. But he wraps it up with a pleasurable O. Henry-like twist, and a moment of what feels suspiciously like true love. Read full review
75
Slant MagazineJake ColeSep 25, 2015
Philippe Garrel's film uses its characters' stodgy, formal language to betray their self-consciousness. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesSheri LindenJan 28, 2016
Like his previous feature, "Jealousy," the film is shot in sumptuous black-and-white and revolves around artistic Parisians. But in its elegant almost threadbare simplicity, it's a more effective story, anchored by three persuasive performances and a sly sense of irony. Read full review
70
Wall Street JournalJoe MorgensternJan 28, 2016
It’s a strange piece of work, full of paradox — sharply analytical about the ways of love, yet sometimes plodding to the point of self-parody; intentionally distanced, yet offputtingly so, despite an exquisite performance by one of the stars, Clotilde Courau. Read full review
70
The New York TimesA.O. ScottJan 14, 2016
Mr. Garrel is always worth attending to when he takes up the rhythms and paradoxes of love, and even though this is a minor entry in his canon of melancholy romances, it is brief, brisk and intermittently affecting. Read full review
67
IndieWireEric KohnMay 20, 2015
With its luscious 35mm photography and playful depiction of passionate lovers reaching a breaking point, the swift 72-minute drama delivers a satisfying riff on moody, intimate material Garrel has mined to richer effect many times before. Read full review
60
The GuardianPeter BradshawMay 20, 2015
Garrel struggles to unearth anything new. The mechanics of the relationships on show fail to lead anywhere unexpected while the dialogue is often flat and on-the-nose. Read full review
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