Winter's Tale
Warner Bros. | Release Date: February 14, 2014 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
31
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews
Positive:
1
Mixed:
17
Negative:
17
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
Los Angeles TimesKenneth TuranFeb 13, 2014
Because it is fearlessly sincere and not totally successful, Winter's Tale is easy to mock. But it is also hard not to admire its willingness to go all out in its quest for the grandest of romantic gestures. Read full review
60
Village VoiceStephanie ZacharekFeb 11, 2014
Winter's Tale, however imperfect, is that rare beast on the movie landscape: an unapologetic romance (for the first two-thirds, anyway), with attractive stars and special effects designed to give audiences something other than the experience of watching worlds get blown up. Read full review
58
Christian Science MonitorPeter RainerFeb 14, 2014
If only there was less mush and more meat in this stew. Read full review
50
ReelViewsJames BerardinelliFeb 14, 2014
On a purely narrative level, Winter's Tale missteps early and often. Its earnestness is its downfall, resulting in opportunities for unintentional humor. Read full review
50
Charlotte ObserverLawrence ToppmanFeb 13, 2014
That’s the problem with Winter’s Tale, which tries to cram too many conflicting stories into one space and ends up defying us to believe any. Call it magic unrealism, a well-intentioned but clunky genre. Read full review
50
USA TodayClaudia PuigFeb 13, 2014
Lurching back and forth through time, Winter's Tale tries to blend the supernatural and the sentimental, with a synchronous nod to elements of New York history. But this would-be magical romance flounders, hitting only dissonant chords. Read full review
50
Washington PostStephanie MerryFeb 13, 2014
Winter’s Tale is ambitious with its otherworldly ingredients and temporal leaps. It’s not always a success, but the movie has one thing going for it: spot-on casting. Read full review
50
Boston GlobeTy BurrFeb 13, 2014
Goldsman takes Helprin’s book — a work overflowing with events, ideas, characters, passions — and pounds away at it until all that’s left is mush. Read full review
50
Chicago TribuneMichael PhillipsFeb 13, 2014
Despite the actors, who at least get some swell clothes to wear, Winter's Tale is a bit of a soul-crusher itself. Read full review
50
Miami HeraldConnie OgleFeb 13, 2014
Unfortunately there’s far too little magic in this clumsy attempt to marry fantasy and realism; the film doesn’t have the grace or imagination to bridge the gaps between the two. Read full review
50
Entertainment WeeklyChris NashawatyFeb 12, 2014
It's no coincidence that Winter's Tale is being released on Valentine's Day, when our resistance to schmaltz is at its weakest. But do that special someone in your life a favor and splurge on some flowers and a nice heart-shaped Russell Stover box instead. Read full review
50
Arizona RepublicBill GoodykoontzFeb 12, 2014
Earnest in its ambition but dopey in its execution, Winter’s Tale never takes flight. Read full review
50
McClatchy-Tribune News ServiceRoger MooreFeb 12, 2014
Winter’s Tale has no narrative drive and too little heart to come off. Read full review
42
Portland OregonianM. E. RussellFeb 13, 2014
The process of Farrell figuring out his divine purpose finally gets so convoluted and schmaltzy, it feels less like "destiny" and more like "cruel cosmic joke." Read full review
42
The A.V. ClubIgnatiy VishnevetskyFeb 12, 2014
Though viewers may have trouble watching any of this with a straight face, the movie’s goofy corniness becomes marginally endearing, in a hobbling-puppy sort of way. Read full review
40
EmpireIan FreerFeb 17, 2014
Corny and shakily plotted, it's a disappointing directorial debut from Goldsman. Read full review
40
The DissolveGenevieve KoskiFeb 13, 2014
It’s a greeting card of film, full of platitudes and pleasant imagery, and destined to be thrown in a drawer and forgotten in short order. Read full review
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