Lilting
Strand Releasing | Release Date: September 26, 2014 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
61
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews
Positive:
12
Mixed:
10
Negative:
0
Watch Now
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
91
IndieWireMary SollosiAug 24, 2014
Whishaw's sensitive performance gives Lilting its emotional intensity. Read full review
88
Philadelphia InquirerTirdad DerakhshaniOct 10, 2014
Hong, who makes his feature debut here, has a masterful command of rhythm, beautifully weaving each strand of the narrative around that momentous opening scene. Read full review
80
CineVueDaniel GreenAug 24, 2014
Lilting looks set to linger on in the memory of those who seek it out for weeks, months and perhaps even years to come. Read full review
80
EmpirePatrick PetersAug 24, 2014
Intimate, delicate and delightful. Read full review
80
Total FilmKevin HarleyAug 24, 2014
It’s the fully invested leads and graceful, poetic direction that give this study of emotional interiors its subtly heartbreaking power. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleThomas LeeOct 16, 2014
Lilting works because of the superb performances from its two leads, especially Whishaw, whose tortured gloom offers a striking contrast to the cool, unflappable “Q” role he presented in “Skyfall.” Read full review
75
New York PostSara StewartSep 24, 2014
Khaou’s film features masterful performances from Whishaw and Cheng, whose dialogue is somehow intensified, rather than diluted, through the third-party voice of the translator. But some emotions, the film suggests, are impossible to adequately articulate in any language. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesBetsy SharkeyOct 2, 2014
Teasing out the vagaries of language, how confusing communication can be, is such a good idea. Despite a strong start, the filmmaker doesn't exactly know where to go with it. Still, there are moments before things get away from him that are captivating to watch and lovely to listen to. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyAug 24, 2014
Delicate and unhurried almost to a fault, though also hauntingly sexy and even humorous at times. Read full review
70
VarietyJustin ChangAug 24, 2014
While the characters’ background details (including their occupations) are kept to a minimum, the emotions the story touches are vivid and accessible. Read full review
63
Washington PostStephanie MerryOct 16, 2014
It is, as the title suggests, sweet — but also slight. Read full review
63
RogerEbert.comDan CallahanSep 26, 2014
Lilting suffers from a lack of plausibility in its central situation and elsewhere. Read full review
60
Village VoiceAbby GarnettSep 23, 2014
Khaou creates a compelling tension between Whishaw's stricken, almost febrile performance and Cheng's stubbornly dignified one. Read full review
60
The GuardianPeter BradshawAug 24, 2014
This debut feature from the Cambodian-born, London-based film-maker Hong Khaou is heartfelt, intelligent film-making on a shoestring budget. Read full review
60
The TelegraphTim RobeyAug 24, 2014
The film is awfully methodical, almost mathematical, in working through the various emotional steps every character must take in reaching an end point we readily guess. You appreciate the effort, even as you sense it. Read full review
60
Time Out LondonDave CalhounAug 24, 2014
There are times when it feels underpowered or unfocused... but this is an intelligent, sensitive debut. Read full review
58
Portland OregonianMarc MohanOct 9, 2014
There's potential here, as well as in Junn's touching relationship with a fellow resident at the home, for real intensity, but Khaou insists on sticking with a glacial pace and lip-trembling emotional repression when a little bit of melodrama might have gone a long way. Read full review
50
Boston GlobePeter KeoughOct 16, 2014
Unlike other films that successfully explore abstractions, such as Wong Kar Wai’s “In the Mood for Love” or the memoiristic collages of Terence Davies, it doesn’t seem to have much going on beneath the drab surface. Read full review
50
The New York TimesManohla DargisSep 25, 2014
For much of the movie, Junn is a one-dimensional grump who pulls this schematic if unfocused movie down with each frown and harrumph. Read full review
50
The A.V. ClubVadim RizovSep 25, 2014
Khaou’s avoidance of visual fireworks and his attempt to barrel through his own script in such a workmanlike fashion has the side effect of letting his actors down. Read full review
50
The DissolveMike D'AngeloSep 24, 2014
Within the limitation of their roles, all the actors do solid work... but the movie’s tone is doggedly, almost noxiously sincere, verging on downright moist. Read full review
50
Slant MagazineChuck BowenSep 21, 2014
Lilting doesn't have any momentum or any sense of ambiguity, once the setup has been established. Read full review
More From This Movie

61 Critic Reviews

6.2 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 72 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL