Winter Passing

Name: Winter Passing
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: February 17, 2006
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 56
Cast: Ed Harris, Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel

2006

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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7.4

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7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: February 17, 2006 | R

Starring: Ed Harris, Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel

Summary: This dramatic comedy examines the fractious reunion of an estranged father and daughter.

Director: Adam Rapp

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 98 min

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Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert

This is the kind of movie routinely dismissed as too slow and quiet by those who don't know it is more exciting to listen than to hear. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Ken Fox

Rapp's theatrical past is evident throughout: His strongest scenes tend to be those purely character-driven moments when his sharp dialogue takes precedence over any cinematic action. Harris gives another strong performance and Ferrell is great in a comic but low-key role, but this is Deschanel's movie. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

I found the film borderline bleak, and borderline predictable, at least in its resolution, yet admirable as well. Winter Passing almost always operates on the right side of the border, the full-of-life side where compelling characters live with urgency and intensity.

James C. Taylor

Winter Passing showcases Rapp's clever, conversational dialogue, while Harris, Deschanel, and Will Ferrell - on hand for comic relief as a Christian rocker turned literary bouncer - breathe life into this whimsical, but ultimately conventional, family drama. Read full review

Stephen Holden

Its familiar story of an embittered child's homecoming and confrontation with a parent throws off dramatic sparks, but they never flare into a blaze. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

Deschanel manages to make Winter Passing almost matter. That's real talent. Read full review

Desson Thomson

Winter Passing is one dull, extended encounter session among hackneyed characters -- although Deschanel gets the most points for almost imitating a human. Read full review

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User Reviews

AndrewG.

Mar 7, 2006

I guess it's predictable...but I wasn't trying to predict...I just watched it...and really enjoyed it...Zooey Deschanel is hipnotic and beautiful as always...Harris is really good as always...Will Ferrell is surprisingly perfect...it's worth seeing in the theater...

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ChadShiira

Apr 5, 2007

Reese(Zooey Deschanel) returns to the scene of the crime, her childhood home, and as she ascends up the curving stairs, we see the father's National Book Award(mom was no slouch either). In films about megalomaniacal artist-type parents, why do the childhood killers always have to be Reese(Zooey Deschanel) returns to the scene of the crime, her childhood home, and as she ascends up the curving stairs, we see the father's National Book Award(mom was no slouch either). In films about megalomaniacal artist-type parents, why do the childhood killers always have to be brilliant? A case could be mounted for parental myopia if the end results are masterpieces. You could argue that these creative people had a higher calling and served the greater good. If they sucked, then by all means, Reese, bitch and moan all you like; it was all for nothing that you were treated like one of Daisy's children in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby", like you were invisible. Reese is a whiny cokehead, but it doesn't stop "Winter Passing" from being a pretty terrific film about blaming your parents for everything under the sun. The surrogate family that Don(Ed Harris) assembled to help ward off the loneliness of being widowed, of being left behind, is obviously meant as a replacement for his bitter absentee daughter. Will Ferrell and Amelia Warner helps round out this great ensemble; especially Ferrell, who tones down his dadaist impulses and underplays beautifully.… Expand

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R.Cunard

Feb 19, 2006

This movie reminded me of The Squid and the Whale - messed up writer parents with messed up kids. It was boring, depressing and uninspiring. The only saving grace was the acting. I thought independant movies were supposed to be a little more original. Maybe next time.

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