The Lifeguard
Screen Media Films | Release Date: August 30, 2013 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
34
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews
Positive:
1
Mixed:
5
Negative:
8
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
70
Los Angeles TimesGary GoldsteinAug 29, 2013
The Lifeguard is a watchable, emotionally redolent trip down one woman's memory lane. Read full review
60
New York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierAug 29, 2013
The Lifeguard is one of those deceptive movies that, to its credit, winds up being about more than just an easy-to-describe tagline. In this case, that line would be: “Woman goes back to hometown, sleeps with high school boy.” Read full review
50
RogerEbert.comSheila O'MalleySep 2, 2013
It's not the most original of concepts, and writer-director Liz W. Garcia struggles with the tone throughout, but The Lifeguard is often saved by Kristen Bell's sensitive and complex performance. Read full review
50
The DissolveMike D'AngeloAug 4, 2013
Bell is too inherently sympathetic to turn Leigh into a credibly flawed protagonist, and first-time writer-director Liz W. Garcia seems more interested in indulging the fantasy of the jailbait fling than in seriously interrogating her heroine’s psyche. Read full review
42
The A.V. ClubIgnatiy VishnevetskyAug 28, 2013
Like its lead character, The Lifeguard is stuck in a rut. After establishing Bell’s frustration within the first five minutes, the movie continually reiterates it. Read full review
40
The New York TimesNicolas RapoldAug 29, 2013
This directorial debut by Liz W. Garcia, a writer for television, bears some echoes of its creator’s origins, going from deft to trite in its drama and setting up character arcs that feel sappily resolved within its feature length. Read full review
38
Boston GlobeTy BurrAug 29, 2013
Writer-director Liz W. Garcia depicts Leigh’s quandary with a heavy hand that gets heavier as the movie goes on, ending with one of those portentous freeze-frames that worked in “The 400 Blows” and never since. Read full review
30
The Hollywood ReporterJustin LoweJul 12, 2013
Surprisingly for a writer turned director, the most evident shortcomings with Garcia’s feature originate with the script. With barely any backstory to support them, the characters consistently appear to lack the motivations necessary for their actions. Read full review
30
VarietyPeter DebrugeJul 12, 2013
Lambert brings a forlorn dimension to his seductive young role, but Bell never really convinces as the older woman. Despite flirting with controversy, the actress seems reluctant to plunge fully into potential unlikability, nor does the film quite give her the chance. Read full review
27
Film.comJordan HoffmanJul 12, 2013
The Lifeguard is a painfully dull (alleged) drama utterly lacking in originality or self-awareness. Read full review
25
New York PostKyle SmithAug 30, 2013
Dull yet contrived drama. Read full review
25
Slant MagazineEd GonzalezAug 27, 2013
The film heroically stretches out its governing water metaphor to a point that allows it to best Garden State's Guinness World Record for most incessant navel-gazing. Read full review
20
Village VoiceErnest HardyAug 27, 2013
From concept to execution to tone, writer-director Liz W. Garcia's The Lifeguard is a lifeless misfire. Read full review
20
Time OutEric HynesAug 27, 2013
This drama is as listless and self-regarding as its protagonist, flitting among underdeveloped characters and subplots and indulging in rote emo shots by the pool, yet never figuring out how to dive into the deep end. Read full review
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