Knife Fight
IFC Films | Release Date: January 25, 2013 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
34
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews
Positive:
2
Mixed:
4
Negative:
7
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
88
ObserverRex ReedJan 22, 2013
As a bare-knuckle assault on the corruption that has come to define the creeping rot of American politics, Knife Fight is neither as satirical as Barry Levinson's "Wag the Dog" nor as incisive and wrenching as George Clooney's "The Ides of March," but it's a noble, shocking and inspired film worthy of attention. Read full review
67
Christian Science MonitorPeter RainerJan 25, 2013
It pales beside the best down-and-dirty political movies (ranging from "The Candidate" to "The Manchurian Candidate") because, finally, it lacks the courage of its own lowdown convictions. Read full review
50
Portland OregonianMarc MohanJan 31, 2013
It's a forgettable series of bullet points barely strung together by charismatic performances. Read full review
45
NPRJeannette CatsoulisJan 24, 2013
Playing like a mashup of tropes from far superior small- and large-screen entertainments (Scandal, House of Lies, Ides of March), this clunky feature from Bill Guttentag is satire at its most soft-bellied and toadying. Read full review
40
The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckJan 28, 2013
Aims to be a cutting-edge portrait of cutthroat political machinations. But it's a mostly toothless affair that, like so many of our current political figures, proves alienating. Read full review
40
Village VoiceAlan ScherstuhlJan 23, 2013
Throughout, Knife Fight feels like TV, like a half-season of some promising cable show stuffed into a 98-minute film that never really builds or surprises. Read full review
38
New York PostSara StewartJan 24, 2013
You'd hope a political-insider indie reuniting "West Wing" stars Rob Lowe and Richard Schiff, and informed by the experiences of an actual former spin doctor, would be a small delight. You would be wrong. Read full review
33
The PlaylistGabe ToroJan 24, 2013
For those of you who felt "Ides Of March" was entirely too cerebral and challenging, here comes the dunderheaded Knife Fight. A political satire that treads no new ground, this name-heavy comedy wastes an engaging central performance by Rob Lowe. Read full review
30
The New York TimesStephen HoldenJan 25, 2013
The tone of Knife Fight is mean until the movie flips a switch and turns pious and mawkish as Paul tries to make amends for past sins. Whether playing it sleazy or noble, Mr. Lowe brings little emotional weight to his role. Read full review
30
Los Angeles TimesGary GoldsteinJan 24, 2013
The underwhelming, would-be political satire Knife Fight plays more like a failed network TV pilot than the savvy feature it clearly set out to be. Think: Aaron Sorkin-lite, uh, really, really lite. Read full review
25
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)John BarberJan 24, 2013
Means and ends meet briefly, shrug and disappear under a torrent of self-flattering clichés. Read full review
25
Slant MagazineNick McCarthyJan 22, 2013
Bill Guttentag exaggerates the absurd lengths advisors go to win an election and yet ultimately aggrandizes their behavior. Read full review
20
Time OutDavid FearJan 22, 2013
Thanks to his pitch-perfect portrayal of Parks and Recreation's Type A–personality-run-amuck boss, we're willing to forgive Rob Lowe for virtually anything. This pitiful excuse for a political satire, however, seriously tests that theory. Read full review
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