Margaret
Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: September 30, 2011
7.7
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 45 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
33
Mixed:
10
Negative:
2
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10
halfcenturyFeb 25, 2012
Although the film is long, it is not too long. I would be ready to see it again a week after my first viewing. The characters and situations are true to life, that is, painful and messy. The ellipsis at the end of many scenes, in which theAlthough the film is long, it is not too long. I would be ready to see it again a week after my first viewing. The characters and situations are true to life, that is, painful and messy. The ellipsis at the end of many scenes, in which the scene seems to be cut short, was puzzling at first but contributed to the emotional power of the movie. The actors who played Margaret, her mother, and the dead woman's friend were terrific. I could really relate to everything in this film even though I have never been in any similar situation.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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4
Friskytiger81Jul 4, 2012
Huge fan of Lonergan's debut, "You Can Count on Me", but this bears little similarity to that in execution. I felt the material was way too over-the-top, like Paquin and Co. were acting for the stage, not the screen. Overlong and overwrought,Huge fan of Lonergan's debut, "You Can Count on Me", but this bears little similarity to that in execution. I felt the material was way too over-the-top, like Paquin and Co. were acting for the stage, not the screen. Overlong and overwrought, it's evidence of the reported years-long fight between Longergan and producers over what cut could be delivered. Regardless of the running-time, if I watched any more, it wouldn't have changed my mind. I love great cinema, but this was closer to a Mexican soap opera written by Noah Baumback and directed by Walt Stillman.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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9
wiggipopDec 3, 2012
I wish more movies were like this. Having seen Margaret in it's intended 3hr Director's Cut it's difficult thing to comment here on this, the shorter cut of the film. I immediately fell in love with Margaret from the get-go. It's really aI wish more movies were like this. Having seen Margaret in it's intended 3hr Director's Cut it's difficult thing to comment here on this, the shorter cut of the film. I immediately fell in love with Margaret from the get-go. It's really a simple story: a girl witnesses/causes a fatal accident and the rest of the film is about how she deals with it. So many times watching film and television I've longed for more reality; what really happens to a person after they go through a traumatic event? Anna Paquin portrays the confusion and fracture with a raw power; she's a time-bomb. All the performances are excellent, with J. Smith-Cameron and Jeannie Berlin filling the other main roles, with wonderful actors popping up everywhere in support (Matt Damon, Olivia Thrilby, Jean Reno, Keiran Culkin, Mark Ruffalo, Rosemarie DeWitt and Allison Janney in a small but incredible performance). It's about a search for meaning, for redemption and as much about the differences and failings and needs and desires that define every one of us. And it is glorious.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
lancekozSep 20, 2012
A film of true gravitas. The acting is amazing and the script often spot-on. Not only is the main drama fascinating, but there is also coverage of issues like single motherhood and self-acceptance. Best film I saw in a long time. I may haveA film of true gravitas. The acting is amazing and the script often spot-on. Not only is the main drama fascinating, but there is also coverage of issues like single motherhood and self-acceptance. Best film I saw in a long time. I may have given it a ten if it was a bit shorter, as there are some sidetrips that hurt the focus and do not yield the insight of the segments dealing with the main drama.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
lasttimeisawJul 28, 2012
This lengthily delayed film (for more than 6 years, what
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
desppunFeb 6, 2012
The more you enjoyed Lonergans first film, the more you should be preparing yourself for a massive disappointment. For the record: Lonergan is a great writer, with a great talent; and for all his stilted, play-acting dialogue and characters,The more you enjoyed Lonergans first film, the more you should be preparing yourself for a massive disappointment. For the record: Lonergan is a great writer, with a great talent; and for all his stilted, play-acting dialogue and characters, theres a real humanity and depth to his work. Its much, much appreciated. However, thats a discussion for You Can Count On Me. Because theres no room for it here. Anyway, its not that often I see a movie, in theaters, that looks like a very early, messy rough cut of something that could of been possibly much better, or even great (e.g. Melancholia). Margaret is a mistake, and the only thing more embarrassing than for the filmmaker to have this on his hands is the fact of how simply obvious it would have been (and still is!) to amend nearly all of its mistakes. These mistakes are mostly large, clumpy structural attempts to branch off, with sub-plots, or mini-scenes, into the perceptions and experiences of secondary characters, to get a taste of how they operate, or to see what theyre going though parallel to the main characters journey. However, it isnt always just a head-shakingly maudlin checker-boarding of scenes; it can also be as minute and simple as a quick comparison of thoughts or screams. This is a selfish juxtaposition issue that rears its head at EVERY opportunity. In fact, there should be an Ebert-ism regarding this: a director, after a first decent hit (or maybe two), now allows his unbridled ego full and entire authority over all his creative consciousness, to the extent that he wants to say this and this and this and this, etc. Ad nauseam. Its nothing but a complete loss of focus, allowing useless, extraneous information to barge in as it pleases. How many movies can you fit into one? And how long can you deceive yourself into believing that all of these themes, these situations and characters connect in an honest and emotionally engaging way? A film is not a 1,000-page novel, it never will be. Less will always be more, and the secret to success will always be those infinite suggestions held within every frame. Two-and-a-half hours of loud talk is not the answer. I bet the average person, including myself, could step into this and remove at LEAST 40 minutes of footage. Just cut every time you see something boring, every time you instinctively know that what youre watching amounts to next to nothing in the grand scheme of the picture. Every time you know youre seeing-not experiencing-something that youll forget five minutes after its occurred. Besides killing the flow of the main conflict at every opportunity, there are also some new, quirky, New-Yorky aesthetics Lonergan tries to arbitrarily incorporate into the picture; such as odd, extended zooms; slow-motion with often-times bad complimentary score; ironic, disgustingly self-aware cuts concluding scene after scene with a strange line or action of a character, implicitly expecting the audience to bowl over with ironic, disgustingly self-aware laughter; and even more self-aware camera angles, designed to make you believe that what you are seeing is just TOO INTENSE for a normal shot. And the film actually uses opera, multiple times, for dramatic effect. (Basically, if youre not a privileged, college-level graduate you arent allowed to participate in the fun.) Theres also the main, underlying theme to this film that, I felt, was entirely naive and general. It seems to want to take to the podium every time theres a classroom discussion scene -- as though by having young adults tackling major issues, the topical blow isnt quite so severe. What happens specifically is: everybody sits around and argues for about five minutes regarding their own personal views on America and the rest of the world -- terrorism, bombing of women and children, blah blah blah. And then, at the very height of it all, the scene just abruptly ends, and the subject promptly disappears for a while. How irritating. Almost cowardly. Its as though Lonergan read in his old, misplaced college textbook on film: movies are for raising questions, not answering them. He really took that to heart.… Expand
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6
mschoaJun 1, 2012
Superb acting by the principals, especially Anna Paquin. Unlikely scenarios and story, though. The protagonist is not a very likeable character and one has a difficult time identifying with her problems.
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7
seancriswellAug 23, 2012
Another well written movie with great multilayered characters by Lonergan. A great premise that sends the protagonist into a whirlwind of emotion that doesn't stop though the film's two and a half hours. I feel this film falls short in theAnother well written movie with great multilayered characters by Lonergan. A great premise that sends the protagonist into a whirlwind of emotion that doesn't stop though the film's two and a half hours. I feel this film falls short in the same way that You Can Count On Me did. For me Lonergan never seems to be able to find a way to end his protagonists journey. Both movies ended on a less than satisfying note. I do not always need the neat and tidy Hollywood ending, however an obvious end to the story or an obvious open ended ending to take a movie from good to great.… Expand
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8
SpangleJan 7, 2017
At three hours, the extended cut of this film is a really behemoth. I am watching director Kenneth Lonergan's filmography is reverse order, having already seen Manchester by the Sea before watching Margaret. That said, this film further showsAt three hours, the extended cut of this film is a really behemoth. I am watching director Kenneth Lonergan's filmography is reverse order, having already seen Manchester by the Sea before watching Margaret. That said, this film further shows that there is a rule when watching a Longeran. If things can get worse, they absolutely will. In this film, a woman is killed by a bus and young Lisa Cohen (Anna Paquin) is a witness and a cause of the accident, as she purposely distracted the bus driver. The rest of the film depicts her trying to right this wrong and come to terms with the negative impact she had in this case. Largely a character study, Margaret is a film with a dire and pessimistic depiction of the world and of human beings. Yet, as is the case with his follow-up to this film, Margaret is oddly emotionally cathartic. Though it really goes the full 12 rounds with your heart and emotions, the film is an operatic and beautiful portrayal of life, death, teenagers, and human relationships.

The star of this film is Lisa Cohen. A teenage high school student, Lisa is a complicated character. Young, naive, angsty, antagonistic, strident, dramatic, and in a rush to grow up even if she knows nothing, Lisa is not somebody many people should like. However, why this film soars as a character study is Lonergan's refusal to judge her. At the end of the day, all of this anger, mistreatment of her mother, and distance, comes from her regret and pain over causing the death of a woman. She finds ways to deal with the pain and try to forget about it, though it is causing her great strain in her life and her relationships. She needs to release it all and let herself off the hook. By the end of the film, no matter how bratty and irresponsible and disrespectful she acts, you cannot help but feel great sympathy for her and what she has been through. It is tough growing up, let alone seeing such a gruesome death at a young age. Even more challenging, she is idealistic and believes the world must operate in a certain fashion. Though adults grow out of this, as said in the film, teenagers still have this clear view of the world. When things do not align in this fashion and people do not trip over themselves to agree with her, she is confused, affronted, and distraught. Though her traits make her sound horrible, Margaret truly portrays a tragic picture of Lisa and the shattering of her innocent and naive world. Ignorance is truly bliss and for her, she will no longer be ignorant.

An incredibly powerful film, it is clear that Lonergan loves the opera as much as Damien Chazelle loves jazz. With characters going to the opera multiple times in the film, the clearest definition of Lonergan's love of opera is the end. Cathartic, the opera leaves young Lisa in tears next to her mother, Joan (J. Smith-Cameron). The close shows Lisa embrace Joan in tears. While showing the power of the opera, it also shows tremendous growth for Lisa. Fighting with her mother throughout the film, she is now willing to accept her with open arms. She has grown up and is moving past her angsty and existential teenager phase.

At times, however, the film also parallels Lisa's interpretation of the opera. Perceiving it to be merely a medium in which the singers try to yell as loud as possible, Lisa's life is very much the same. Fighting with her mom, fighting with strangers, fighting with classmates, and more, she is antagonistic and looking for somebody to unleash upon at all turns. It is as if she is in her own opera and trying to outscream those around her, out of a belief that she knows best in spite of her lack of life experience. This behavior reveals a lot about her character throughout as her response to conflict is to become defensive and argumentative. She shuts out others and just assumes she is correct without altering her view. Yet, it makes sense because her mother is the same way. She overreacts and takes disagreement as a personal attack. She overreacts and pushes people away just because of a disagreement.

Powerful, depressing, and very long, Margaret's extended cut suffers from some filler. Moments come and go without adding much to the plot. That said, as the film is attempting to replicate real life, these moments are pretty easy to make sense of in the world of the film. Though everything may not advance the plot, the plot is merely an excuse to study Lisa and what makes her tick. This examination works as a large examination of teenagers and their place in the world. For Lonergan, the world is dark and depressing. Teenagers may wish they were older and try to put themselves in adult situations (losing their virginity and having sex), but the realities of adulthood (abortion, death, pain, loneliness, and injustice) will show them that being an adult is not easy. By the end, Lisa has realized this and shows her mother long overdue affection. Sadly, it comes as a result of her losing her innocence and optimism.… Expand
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6
CmjirrmooreMay 29, 2013
2h30mns seem quite long but in this case it flows thanks to the unexpected emotional journey the main character goes through from the main event. It felt real and powerful.
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7
horizonbtsMar 7, 2015
Well rounded cast and drama, thought it was a little long and drawn out, but well acted and scripted. Basically the main character is affected by an accident with a bus that she saw, and actually had a part in causing. The movie looselyWell rounded cast and drama, thought it was a little long and drawn out, but well acted and scripted. Basically the main character is affected by an accident with a bus that she saw, and actually had a part in causing. The movie loosely looks at someone caught in the right and wrong of things and also how tragic events can lead into something more serious and conflicting. Matt Damon, Matthew Broderick, and Mark Ruffalo in my opinion weren't utilized as well as they should have been given their talent. Still Anna Paquin carries the main role decently and I find myself getting irritated with the mess she creates for herself. Overall a middle of the road movie which if you can sit through has a decent ride.… Expand
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7
TrailesqueNov 9, 2020
I did not like this all that much, but because intelligent, well-made contemporary dramas are so rare these days, I feel like I need to give them some praise when I come across them. So without being a huge Lonergan fan, I want to lift himI did not like this all that much, but because intelligent, well-made contemporary dramas are so rare these days, I feel like I need to give them some praise when I come across them. So without being a huge Lonergan fan, I want to lift him up. At least his films make me think.

This story does pose some problems. (SPOILER ALERT) First of all, the title. The main character is a teenager named Lisa, not Margaret. It turns Margaret is the name of the classic poem that her English teacher reads in class, a poem about becoming resigned to the fact of human suffering. While Lisa, does go through some pain, a good amount of it appears to come from her choices. Unfortunately, Lisa is not very likeable. The kid is brash, rude, and frequently hostile. She causes a horrible accident by distracting a bus driver, and then spends a good part of the movie trying to affix the blame to him. (The legal wrangling makes for some interesting drama). She enlists the class screw-up to rid her of her virginity and also seduces one of her teachers, while ignoring the attention of a nice young man who wants her. She fights bitterly with her actress mother, and misses her father, who is too busy with his career and his new wife to give her the attention she deserves.

A friend of mine called Lonergan an "emotional pornographer." There is something to that. He keeps ladling on the emotion and the interpersonal conflict, as if he is afraid that without it, the audience's attention might wander. But as I said above, Margaret is worth checking out, and we could use more movies like this.… Expand
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6
NickTheCritickApr 24, 2022
Lisa is a student who attends a private school in New York. One day, hit by a bus driver's cowboy hat, she distracts him from driving, thus causing the death of a passer-by. Invited to testify by the police, Lisa claims falsehood to avoid theLisa is a student who attends a private school in New York. One day, hit by a bus driver's cowboy hat, she distracts him from driving, thus causing the death of a passer-by. Invited to testify by the police, Lisa claims falsehood to avoid the driver's job loss but from that moment on she feels doubly guilty. Her tension spills over to her mother Joan, a theater actress, who already has personal problems both for the show she will be staging with and for her new partner. Lisa ends up involving all those closest to her in this malaise, starting with her schoolmates and teachers. She just has to decide whether or not to retract her testimony. Film that tries to be complex, but in its search for complexity it turns out to be perhaps immature and, at times, indigestible.… Expand
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