Morvern Callar

Name: Morvern Callar
Genre: Drama
Released: December 20, 2002
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 78
Cast: Kathleen McDermott, Linda McGuire, Samantha Morton

2002

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 29 Ratings

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5.7

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5.7	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 29 Ratings

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Morvern Callar

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Movie Details & Credits

Cowboy Pictures | Release Date: December 20, 2002 | R

Starring: Kathleen McDermott, Linda McGuire, Samantha Morton

Summary: An aimless supermarket clerk (Morton) in a small Scottish town gets a new lease on life upon discovering her boyfriend dead under their Christmas tree.

Director: Lynne Ramsay

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 97 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Stephanie Zacharek

A work of astonishing delicacy and force, a tone poem about the Frankenstein jolts that all of us, at one time or another, have to live through. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

(Morton's) character here is emotionally mute -- though Morvern speaks, she can't or won't reveal what's in her heart -- and her performance is brilliant from start to finish.

V.A. Musetto

Morton deserves an Oscar nomination, but she is unlikely to get one. The movie is too dark and out of the mainstream to impress the conservative fogies who vote for the prizes. Read full review

Scott Tobias

Morvern Callar not only attempts to reveal an interior life, usually the province of novels, but also focuses on the interior life of a woman who refuses to open up to anyone. Read full review

Marc Mohan

In Morvern Callar, the subject matter may be morbid and unappealing, but the director handles it with a visual poetry and an eye for hidden beauty that marks a filmmaker of the first order. Read full review

Jami Bernard

It's a smartly surreal little movie, and again shows why, whenever there's a role that calls for an actress who can speak volumes without much dialogue (as in "Minority Report" and "Sweet and Lowdown"), the call goes out to Morton. Read full review

Meredith Brody

Fans of director Lynne Ramsay's first movie, the bleak Ratcatcher won't be surprised that this little existential exercise makes The Stranger look like a funwagon. Read full review

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User Reviews

ElliottM

Feb 16, 2008

Highly unusual film, with fantastic cinematography and arguably the greatest movie soundtrack EVER -- quirky and eclectic, just like the characters in the film. I'll admit it was difficult to understand some of the dialogue (and it's a pity there aren't subtitles available on Highly unusual film, with fantastic cinematography and arguably the greatest movie soundtrack EVER -- quirky and eclectic, just like the characters in the film. I'll admit it was difficult to understand some of the dialogue (and it's a pity there aren't subtitles available on the DVD), but I ran out and bought this one right after I saw it. Wonderful, fascinating movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Sindri

Feb 20, 2011

Meditative soul-search - Lynne Ramsay explores the inner life of the mysterious woman Morvern Callar in her second feature film preceding her acclaimed feature film debut "Ratcatcher" (1999).

Morvern Callar is a woman in her twenties who lives with her boyfriend in a Scottish coastalMeditative soul-search - Lynne Ramsay explores the inner life of the mysterious woman Morvern Callar in her second feature film preceding her acclaimed feature film debut "Ratcatcher" (1999).

Morvern Callar is a woman in her twenties who lives with her boyfriend in a Scottish coastal town where she works at a shopping mall with her best friend Lanna. Christmas is nearby, and one day after visiting the local pub with Lanna, Morvern returns to her home where she finds her boyfriend dead on the floor of their living room. Left behind with an unpublished novel, a recorded tape of music and some money, Morvern invites her friend on a holiday trip to Spain.

Scottich film maker, screenwriter and photographer Lynne Ramsay had made three short films and her first feature film "Ratcatcher" (1999) before she made this innovating character study which was shoot in UK, Scottland and Spain. Her patient and poetic camera movements mirrors a passion and consideration for her motives which is very appealing. The intimate close ups of Samantha Morton leads the viewer closely enough to captivate it's attention, and Lynne Ramsays individualistic film style and creative perspectives makes her one of the most interesting female directors a long side Susanne Bier, Jane Campion, Sally Potter and Margreth Olin.

Once one sees the face of Samantha Morton it triggers our curiosity for the dark haired, mystic and short spoken Morvern Callar who has recently lost her lover and is getting trough the initial phase of grief. Morvern is an archetype heroine, and after facing a traumatic incident she counterattacks in stead of digging herself down. But is she in denial? or is she trying to escape reality? The synoptic though alluring screenplay adapted from Alan Warners novel aims in on the main character and creates an unforgettable character brought to life by Samantha Morton who delivers an enchanting performance which is reminiscent of Emily Watson`s performance in "Breaking the Waves" (1996).

Alvin H. Kuchler`s colorful and artistic photography and the psychedelic music from amongst others Apex Twin and The Velvet Underground increases this interpretive independent films cryptic mood.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

ryancarroll88

Aug 27, 2010

Morvan Callar joins the countless number of feminine characters in cinema whose unrestrained mystique equally frustrates and fascinates the viewer, and ultimately keeps us glued to the screen. Samantha Morton's performance is really what gives the movie its power (more so than Ramsay'sMorvan Callar joins the countless number of feminine characters in cinema whose unrestrained mystique equally frustrates and fascinates the viewer, and ultimately keeps us glued to the screen. Samantha Morton's performance is really what gives the movie its power (more so than Ramsay's directing), managing to lure us in but leave us disconnected from the mysterious stoichism of her character. The hipster soundtrack and fast-cut editing were nice touches, bringing its classic philosophical ideas to the modern age, a structure which is bound to strike a chord among niche audiences (i.e. Druggies/Clubbers/Hipsters). However, the dialogue almost seems like it was added as an afterthought and the messages presented only seem half-fulfilled by the end of the film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Sep 26, 2018

This film was really strange. I'm not sure how to put it into words, but it definitely will not leave you indifferent.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

geewah

Feb 2, 2021

A surreal and dark movie that is carried by the performance of Sam Morton.
The subject matter and style certainly won't appeal to everyone's taste.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MatthewZ.

Feb 22, 2007

There are hardly words to describe just how terribly awful this movie is. It's a pedantic wannabe French film with a Scottish accent. Save some time and watch a wigged out friend of yours smoke a cigarette -- that's about what this film adds up to. This will be the last time I There are hardly words to describe just how terribly awful this movie is. It's a pedantic wannabe French film with a Scottish accent. Save some time and watch a wigged out friend of yours smoke a cigarette -- that's about what this film adds up to. This will be the last time I ever trust the Cannes Film Festival.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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