Jumbo
Dark Star Pictures | Release Date: February 19, 2021 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
60
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews
Positive:
9
Mixed:
8
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
89
Austin ChronicleRichard WhittakerFeb 11, 2021
First time writer-director Zoé Wittock takes an absurd idea and imbues it with such heart, soul, and beauty that you'll automatically look past the inherent ridiculousness. Instead, you'll simply absorb its glowing sense of wonder. Read full review
85
Paste MagazineAdesola ThomasMar 15, 2021
Merlant’s writhing, fainting spells and intense gaze do well to communicate the intensity of desire and, although the film can sometimes be a dizzying attraction to climb on, Jumbo is certainly worth the ride. Read full review
80
The Irish TimesDonald ClarkeJul 9, 2021
It’s not exactly a world you would want to live in but Jumbo, nonetheless, is awash with a sympathetic visual aesthetic that gives us some sense of where the odd passion springs from. It needs a strong actor to compete with that madness, and Merlant does not disappoint. Read full review
80
EmpireIan FreerJul 7, 2021
It’s a short-film premise at a feature-film length, but few films take as many chances or go for broke as much as Jumbo. Wittock is an exciting new talent to watch, and Merlant spins something potentially laughable into a rollercoaster — or at least, waltzer — ride of emotions. Read full review
80
We Got This CoveredMatt DonatoMay 28, 2020
Yes, the movie where a girl falls in love with a Tilt-A-Whirl says more about self-assurance, romantic wilds, and personal comforts than most human-on-human counterparts. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesMichael OrdoñaFeb 17, 2021
It will surprise none of Merlant’s fans that she gives herself over to the role. Whatever you think of Jeanne’s attachment, Merlant lets you in on Jeanne’s feelings. You believe this really matters to her. Read full review
67
The A.V. ClubKatie RifeFeb 18, 2021
This is a slight film, one that peaks early and spends the rest of its runtime shuffling its narrative cards, re-combining the same elements in different ways. But Jumbo still stands out, thanks to a concept and aesthetic much stronger than its story. Read full review
67
IndieWireDavid EhrlichJan 26, 2020
Splitting the difference between “Terms of Endearment” and David Cronenberg’s “Crash” in a way that’s often sweet and surreal (but never sinister), Wittock essentially takes an ultra-familiar premise and coats it with the candied shell of something you’ve never seen before. It’s enchanting stuff, at least until that colorful layer of hard sugar melts away and you’re left to chew on the beige core inside. Read full review
63
RogerEbert.comCarlos AguilarFeb 19, 2021
Though curiously charming, Jumbo behaves like love at first sight that doesn’t think about the consequences of the ardent now or the larger, long-term picture. Read full review
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