Tallulah
Netflix | Release Date: July 29, 2016 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
63
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews
Positive:
12
Mixed:
6
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
88
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperJul 29, 2016
This is one of the most moving films of 2016. Every 20 minutes or so, it grabs you and puts a lump in your throat. Read full review
83
The PlaylistRuss FischerJan 31, 2016
Heder's direction shines, shaping the film around the cast as each woman plays out their own specific nuances of loss and insecurity, and, occasionally, optimism. Tallulah is an impressive feature debut, and a welcome showcase for the talents of Page, Janney, and Blanchard. Read full review
80
The New York TimesNeil GenzlingerJul 28, 2016
The story in Tallulah sometimes strains credulity, but it’s beautifully told and acted. Read full review
80
The GuardianNigel M SmithJan 31, 2016
Yes, the story has the makings of a Lifetime movie; what grounds it are the terrific performances and Heder’s rich direction and screenplay. Read full review
80
VarietyGeoff BerkshireJan 31, 2016
Page is simply superb in a complex role that perfectly plays to her gift for balancing deadpan comedy with surprisingly deep emotional reserves. Read full review
75
RogerEbert.comNick AllenJul 29, 2016
Tallulah is an impressive debut from Heder, who also works as a writer on Netlfix’s “Orange Is the New Black” (Uzo Aduba, who plays Crazy Eyes on the series, has a part as a child services agent with a lot of perspective). Read full review
75
Boston GlobeTy BurrJul 28, 2016
For most of its running time, the movie works as a sharp, generous human comedy about fear of family (among other things), with Page once again reminding us that she’s one of the most deft and underutilized actors of her generation. You’re already sold on Janney, I hope. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesKatie WalshJul 29, 2016
Despite the melodrama, the connections these women forge are heartfelt and earned. Read full review
70
New York Daily NewsJoe DziemianowiczJul 28, 2016
Tallulah is a sensitive and stirring look at motherhood. Read full review
70
Screen DailyTim GriersonJan 31, 2016
Helped enormously by deeply-felt performances from Ellen Page and Allison Janney, this film mostly overcomes its unevenness by finding rich pockets of emotion and insight. Read full review
65
TheWrapDave WhiteJul 28, 2016
What saves Tallulah from American indie sameness and its allegiance to neat resolution are its three lead actors and Heder’s apparent skill in bringing out their best work. Read full review
63
Movie NationRoger MooreAug 5, 2016
The story is pure melodrama and more conventional than daring. But Tallulah makes a fine demonstration project to under-employed talent — in front of and behind the camera. Read full review
60
The TelegraphTristram Fane SaundersAug 11, 2016
As a film, Tallulah has a bedrock of grounded, believable performances to latch onto, but makes the mistake of grasping after crude types and abstract themes instead. Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterLeslie FelperinJan 31, 2016
There’s so much to root for here it’s painful to concede there’s some hideously on-the-nose, spell-out-the-motivation-in-capital-letters writing that lowers the tone. Read full review
58
IndieWireJude DryJul 29, 2016
Though it falls short of its goals, Tallulah is an ambitious first film for Heder. A valiant effort, but ultimately, like its characters’ lives, a missed opportunity. Read full review
50
Village VoiceMichael NordineJul 28, 2016
The film's premise rests on one contrivance too many as it is...and Heder keeps raising the stakes instead of settling into the groove established so well by her two leads. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleDavid WiegandJul 28, 2016
Cliche piles on top of cliche to make a nearly two-hour film feel twice as long, simply because we see so many things coming that we feel as though we’re watching each section twice. Read full review
50
The Film StageDan MeccaJan 31, 2016
There’s honesty here and a swath of well-written, well-developed female characters, but not enough to justify laughing with a kidnapper. Read full review
25
Slant MagazineElise NakhnikianJul 25, 2016
Relevant facts about each character are dutifully punched out, in earnest speeches or actions that are often wildly overdrawn. Read full review
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