Janie Jones
Tribeca Film | Release Date: October 28, 2011 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
52
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews
Positive:
6
Mixed:
9
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
Boxoffice MagazinePam GradyOct 22, 2011
What this predictable tale lacks in surprises it more than makes up for in charm, good music and the indelible performances of Alessandro Nivola and Abigail Breslin as father and child. Read full review
75
IndieWireEric KohnOct 27, 2011
Although not exemplary, Janie Jones at least manages to give its tired scenario a sense of legitimacy. Read full review
70
SalonAndrew O'HehirOct 28, 2011
A compelling and unpretentious indie built around two wonderfully layered performances and straightforward storytelling. Give it a listen. Read full review
67
Entertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanNov 2, 2011
With Ethan and Janie sharing folkie duets, it has a certain small, wan charm, like a father-daughter gloss on "Once." Breslin is a clear-eyed delight. Read full review
67
The A.V. ClubNoel MurrayOct 26, 2011
Contrivances aside, though, Janie Jones is one of the more realistic depictions of what the rock 'n' roll lifestyle is really like. Read full review
63
Washington PostAnn HornadayNov 10, 2011
Nivola and Breslin make a terrific mismatched pair in a film that often resembles a mash-up of "Crazy Heart" and Sofia Coppola's "Somewhere," which may account for why it too often feels derivative and contrived. Read full review
60
The New York TimesStephen HoldenOct 27, 2011
It feels mostly authentic until a contrived ending that leaves a saccharine taste. Read full review
50
Boston GlobeTom RussoNov 10, 2011
The actors also acquit themselves well singing the film's numerous tunes. Breslin's voice is pleasantly melodic, while Nivola sounds like someone who's been grinding it out on tour for years. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesRobert AbeleNov 6, 2011
Janie Jones is ultimately its own uneven tune, a mixture of discordant notes and way-too-familiar chords. Read full review
50
Slant MagazineKenji FujishimaOct 23, 2011
First thing to get out of the way: No, David M. Rosenthal's third feature, Janie Jones, has nothing to do with the famous song by the same name that opens the Clash's self-titled 1977 debut album. Perhaps that might have made this film far more interesting film it is. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterRay BennettOct 22, 2011
An earnest tale about a faded rock star who discovers he has a teenaged daughter and takes her on the road, Janie Jones follows a predictable path and despite decent performances it does not catch fire. Read full review
50
VarietyDennis HarveyOct 22, 2011
There's never any doubt where the picture is headed. If it finally achieves a modicum of poignancy, the impact surely would have been greater if the whole felt fresher. Read full review
40
New York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierOct 28, 2011
Writer-director David M. Rosenthal fills this dewy road-trip movie with too many cliches. From the glimpses we get of Shue's character, that may have been a more rockin' story. Read full review
40
Village VoiceMelissa AndersonOct 25, 2011
Nivola and Breslin sing and perform the original numbers, welcome interludes that provide respite from Rosenthal's lousy script. Read full review
40
Time OutJoshua RothkopfOct 25, 2011
The predictability is crushing, and with movies like "Crazy Heart" and Sofia Coppola's distinctly personal "Somewhere" so close in the rearview, David M. Rosenthal's estrangement drama feels especially soft. Read full review
25
New York PostKyle SmithOct 28, 2011
The indie road movie Janie Jones is billed as "inspired by the true story" of its writer-director, David M. Rosenthal. Impossible. No one's life is this boring. Read full review
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