Words and Pictures

Roadside Attractions | Release Date: May 23, 2014

5.9	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Ratings

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TVJerryJun 16, 2014

Clive Owen is the prep school English instructor with demons, including alcohol. The new art teacher (Juliette Binoche) has her own challenges, but as you expect, they end up together. Meanwhile, they inspire their students with a battleClive Owen is the prep school English instructor with demons, including alcohol. The new art teacher (Juliette Binoche) has her own challenges, but as you expect, they end up together. Meanwhile, they inspire their students with a battle between writing and art. Despite that fact that the script is predictable and spends too much time selling its intellectual points, all of the performances are engaging, especially Owen who is compelling & Binoche who is enchanting. Combine that with crisp direction and this slight little romance takes on an agreeable slant.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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amboyJun 21, 2014

This is an updated version of the kind of movie Hepburn and Tracy used to star in--a romantic comedy in which competition and hostility turns into love. The updating is darker, less breezy--both are wounded animals--her ability to paintThis is an updated version of the kind of movie Hepburn and Tracy used to star in--a romantic comedy in which competition and hostility turns into love. The updating is darker, less breezy--both are wounded animals--her ability to paint compromised by rheumatoid artrhritis; his ability to write compromised by alcoholism, The movie is distinguished by a smart, literate script and stunning performances. Juliette Binoche, either carefully made up or with n o makeup at all, is a beautiful sight, and sher catches the toughness, warmth, and humor of the character to perfection. But it is Clive Owen's movie--a late scene when he apologizes to his son is a study in shame and Owen shrinks to half his size. It's the achievement of his or of anyone's career--simply remarkable work. Schepisi's direction is flawless.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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GinaKSep 21, 2014

If you set a film at a prep school and picture basically obedient, ideally brought up students, this is about as good as you can manage to get. The debate, although kind of fudged at the end, was reasonably good (given the setting and allIf you set a film at a prep school and picture basically obedient, ideally brought up students, this is about as good as you can manage to get. The debate, although kind of fudged at the end, was reasonably good (given the setting and all those unrealistically nice young people), but the main symbolic characters, other than the one played by Juliette Binoche, were pretty cliché. I admire Clive Owen for trying, but his drinking was not really convincing and frankly as a former English major, I found him a bit insulting and over the top. Not all – or most of – literature is edifying. Much of it is very dark actually. Binoche had the far easier character – she was made cold by real physical suffering – something no one made much of – no one asked why this great painter was stricken (told you there were very few dark thoughts in here), but Binoche was convincing in her depiction of the pain and frustration of her disease and also quite good at being curt and insulting, but after all, she is French. It is to Schepsi’s discredit that he chose this setting for his debate, but to his credit that the film worked at all and nobody threw any shoes at the screen. I guess we felt sorry for the actors who did a great job considering what they had to work with.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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Brent_MarchantJun 8, 2014

Despite a few plot devices that don't work, as well as some cliched narrative elements that could have used a little tweaking, "Words and Pictures" is a charming slice of life, battle-of-wits rom-com that's a cut above the typical fare ofDespite a few plot devices that don't work, as well as some cliched narrative elements that could have used a little tweaking, "Words and Pictures" is a charming slice of life, battle-of-wits rom-com that's a cut above the typical fare of this genre. The pairing of Owen and Binoche is terrific, and they have great chemistry together, elevating the material to a level that lesser performers would not have been able to do.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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CountvontrollioApr 29, 2015

this movie sux. 'Sux' from the latin as in don't warch it. Jeez it had 'Captain my captain in it' dont use that as a quote not in this lifetime.It plods along like the instutution it takes place in (school) where the inmates (viewers) arethis movie sux. 'Sux' from the latin as in don't warch it. Jeez it had 'Captain my captain in it' dont use that as a quote not in this lifetime.It plods along like the instutution it takes place in (school) where the inmates (viewers) are warching the clock tick down until quitting time. numerous cringeworthy momnets of dialogue, script,acting. with quite possibly some of the lamest philosophical musings on words and art ever comited to film, and some of the masquearading as intellectual is embarrasingly pedestrian.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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LynSep 28, 2014

Love Clive Owen. Love Juliette Binoche. Would love to see them in a film worthy of their talents. Each makes a valiant effort to enliven the "words vs. picture" premise, though the basic plot is so minuscule it could be covered in a sitcom.Love Clive Owen. Love Juliette Binoche. Would love to see them in a film worthy of their talents. Each makes a valiant effort to enliven the "words vs. picture" premise, though the basic plot is so minuscule it could be covered in a sitcom. For me a big problem is that their two characters are not evenly matched, talentwise. Binoche is presented as a brilliant artist (and she actually did the art in the movie!) while Owen's character mostly quotes others. And as a boozing, tormented writer, his life itself is a literary cliche.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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jgzegerAug 12, 2016

The critics got it right. This movie is a clunker. Juliette Binoche gives a good performance, as always, but that is the only good thing I can say about it. The plot line about an English teachers personal war with an art teacher aboutThe critics got it right. This movie is a clunker. Juliette Binoche gives a good performance, as always, but that is the only good thing I can say about it. The plot line about an English teachers personal war with an art teacher about whether literature or painting is the superior medium is dumb. Furthermore, haven't we seen movies about a self-absorbed alcoholic writer before? Give this movie a miss. It is boring and demands great perseverance to see it through to the end.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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BeeceeJun 17, 2014

Juliette Binoche is charming as the handicapped art teacher who handles a huge paint brush suspended from the ceiling with aplomb (the credits state that she is the actual artist). Clive Owen plays the alcoholic writer with conviction. TheJuliette Binoche is charming as the handicapped art teacher who handles a huge paint brush suspended from the ceiling with aplomb (the credits state that she is the actual artist). Clive Owen plays the alcoholic writer with conviction. The word games are entertaining. And the romance is convincing, even though the competition among the students isn't always (most of them are in both classes).… Expand

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MATPWJan 27, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Adult real-world love. Clive Owen, delicious, strong, and I believed he knew an alcoholic or had his own lows with drink. Juliette Binoche, so many in the audience like me thought she suffered from Rheumatoid arthritis in her real life. She was so amazing and authentic in her presence and the pain. I love they addressed Asian hate, harassment, and respect. Binoche and Owen brought Hepburn and Tracy to the 20th Century! Complex loves complex lives, and powerful forgiveness. What a joy of a movie! The paintings were brilliant, and painted by Binoche!… Expand

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