The School of Flesh
Stratosphere Entertainment | Release Date: February 26, 1999 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
70
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews
Positive:
11
Mixed:
4
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
VarietyLeonard Klady
A skillful blend of fire and ice that subtly conveys the emotional extremes fraught in the relationship. Read full review
90
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
A handsome work of authoritative yet understated style, responsive to mood, subtleties and nuance in exploring its especially well-drawn and intelligent lovers. Read full review
88
Chicago TribuneMichael Wilmington
Once again, as love dies and illusions crumble, this natural actress (Isabelle Huppert) shines with human fire. [26 March 1999, Friday, p.B] Read full review
83
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Jacquot economically conveys the small, painful sacrifices both lovers -- but particularly the woman -- must make, and the constant, ongoing negotiations of power required to maintain no-strings freedom. Read full review
80
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
Subtly profound love story. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
I cannot imagine a Hollywood movie like this. Audiences would be baffled. Read full review
75
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
This is a film to be enjoyed on a psychological level for its keen understanding of the contradictory impulses that drive sexual and social intercourse. Read full review
75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Ray Conlogue
This is a great film for those who share the disabused French view of grownup life, but more particularly for those who want to see one of the great actresses of her generation at the height of her powers. Read full review
70
The New York TimesStephen Holden
Watching this handsomely filmed, deftly edited but rather dry movie, you keep imagining the juice that a director like Pedro Almodovar could have squeezed out of the same story. Read full review
70
Village VoiceJ. Hoberman
Predicated as it is on Huppert's pensive, provocative blankness, the action moves a bit slowly, although, as is often the case with Jacquot, events make more sense after the movie is over. Read full review
67
Austin ChronicleSteve Davis
Predicated as it is on Huppert's pensive, provocative blankness, the action moves a bit slowly, although, as is often the case with Jacquot, events make more sense after the movie is over. Dares to provoke rather than titillate in its delineation of love's strange ways. As the French might say, “L'amour, l'amour, toujours l'amour.” Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleEdward Guthmann
Talky, emphatically unsteamy psychological drama. Read full review
50
TV Guide MagazineSandra Contreras
Huppert's performance leans a bit heavily on the moist-in-the-eyes motif, but it's terrific none-the-less. Read full review
50
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Never quite catches fire.
50
The A.V. ClubJoshua Klein
Unfortunately, contrary to the provocative title, the results are not terribly interesting. While the acting is excellent and the filmmaking exquisite, The School Of Flesh itself is yet another dry example of l'amour fou. Read full review
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