Tristan and Isolde
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: January 13, 2006 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
49
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews
Positive:
10
Mixed:
14
Negative:
6
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
By removing elements of magic and operatic excess from the story, the brothers Scott focus on what is, underneath, a story as tragic (and less contrived) as the one cited in the ads, "Romeo and Juliet." Read full review
75
PremiereJessica Letkemann
Tristan & Isolde isn't a ground-breaking film in any way, but even though the story is familiar and even if you don't like romances, good casting, an able director, and notable cinematography draw you in to the fairy tale feeling of long ago and far away. Pass the popcorn. Read full review
75
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
There's something beautiful about a well-made tragic love story. It may not be as uplifting as one with a happy ending, but it's more cathartic. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan
This "Tristan" has its slightly silly moments, but rather like those fondly remembered epics of Hollywood past, its energy and entertainment value carry the day. Read full review
70
VarietyJoe Leydon
This understated period drama may lack sufficient star power and emotional wallop to score breakthrough success with mainstream auds during its domestic theatrical run, but pic could find a warmer response in the same international markets where "Kingdom of Heaven" redeemed itself last year. Read full review
67
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Working with an explanatory script by Dean Georgaris, Reynolds is much more confident in scenes of realistic battle, or even muddy marketplace dailiness, than he is with scenes of desire. Read full review
63
Philadelphia InquirerCarrie Rickey
Franco, the hollow-cheeked, pouty-lipped actor best known as Spider-Man's nemesis Harry Osborn, plays Tristan like a biker boy with a broadsword. Read full review
63
USA TodayClaudia Puig
James Franco is a gorgeous, smoldering lover in Tristan & Isolde, but you can't help being reminded of Ben Stiller's "Zoolander" character. Read full review
63
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
Director Kevin Reynolds isn't so much inspired as determined to tell it with period accuracy, without bothering to be historically accurate. Read full review
63
Miami HeraldConnie Ogle
Deadly serious, straightforward and surprisingly entertaining tragedy. Read full review
60
The New York TimesManohla Dargis
Just as there is something undeniably pleasant about an entertainment like Tristan & Isolde that delivers exactly what it promises, no less, no more. Read full review
60
Chicago ReaderAndrea Gronvall
Director Kevin Reynolds strikes a good balance between action and romance in this version of the medieval legend, but his leading man is upstaged by the supporting cast. Read full review
60
L.A. WeeklyScott Foundas
The film's one indisputably great performance comes from Sewell, whose Marke is no mere cuckold, but a good, honorable man caught up in circumstances beyond his ken, and ultimately this Tristan & Isolde's most tragic figure. Read full review
60
EmpireWill Lawrence
It is a noble aim, and Reynolds drenches his movie in earthy, muddy tones. Read full review
58
Baltimore SunMichael Sragow
With Tristan & Isolde, the core must be a passion that enlarges two outsize characters and seems as momentous as the rise and fall of a kingdom. Too bad this film's Achilles' heel is its heart. Read full review
58
Portland OregonianShawn Levy
As it progresses it becomes a sloppy mix of modern and antique, and the limits of its lead actors and its script become evident. Read full review
50
Dallas ObserverBill Gallo
In the end, the filmmakers strike a bad bargain between action and myth: In their obvious attempt to shoo everyone into the tent--romantic and roughneck alike--they don't serve either end of the spectrum very well. Read full review
50
Chicago TribuneAllison Benedikt
Mindless, predictable and mildly entertaining. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterKirk Honeycutt
A feeble medieval epic with a lackluster romance at its center. Read full review
50
Washington PostAnn Hornaday
If I had to sum up Tristan & Isolde for a term paper, I'd say it's like "Braveheart" without the face paint, "Shrek," except the Lord Farquaad character is a sweetheart, and "Freaks and Geeks" because James Franco is so hot, even in Orlando Bloom-y ringlets. Read full review
50
Seattle Post-IntelligencerWinda Benedetti
How strange it is to see a film that's supposed to be all about the burning passion and unquenchable exhilaration of true love, and yet is rather passionless and unexhilarating. Read full review
50
New York Daily NewsJack Mathews
It's that rare movie that had me wishing I was at the opera. Read full review
50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Rick Groen
When it comes to retelling the tale of Tristan and Isolde, give us a movie that makes love. Or even a movie that makes war. Anything, just anything, but a movie that makes nice. Read full review
42
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
Moves so sluggishly that someone must have been dosing the cast and crew with Nyquil. Read full review
38
New York PostKyle Smith
Tristan & Isolde makes sacking and pillaging about as exciting as the line at the post office. Read full review
38
Boston GlobeWesley Morris
Franco can be exhilarating in movies -- tremulous, unhinged, a little wild. Here his jaw never stops quivering and his eyes stay welled up, advertising a breakdown that never comes. Not that Myles has a presence a man would fall apart over. She's too professional to drive anybody crazy. Read full review
30
Film ThreatMichael Ferraro
Takes an unimaginative love story and stretches it as far as possible in an attempt to make it epically grand. Instead, the end result plays out like a George Lucas film without spaceships and lightsabers. Read full review
30
Village VoicePeter L'Official
Myles deserves better, but acquits herself as admirably as one can mired in medieval muck. Read full review
25
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
Everything connected with the lovers, who are the point of the movie, is either ordinary or unwittingly funny, and the laughs come early. Read full review
20
Austin ChronicleKimberley Jones
Screenwriter Dean Georgaris gets a hell of a pass here – the story is canon, and, in terms of emotional wallop, does all the heavy lifting for him – but he still manages to gunk up the works with dialogue that is dull-witted at best and outright howling at its worst. Read full review
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