“There’s not a lot of overt drama in the picture, which is better acted than directed and better directed than written. These are hearty, Northwestern folk who tend to internalize their emotions. But Goggins’ wide, friendly smile can’t hide the sadness behind his eyes, and things weigh heavily very well on Casey Affleck. No actor these days aches quite so eloquently.” – North Shore Movies, 08/04/2023
“Glum and lumbering. There’s no energy to the picture. It’s abysmally directed, relying on clumsy handheld camerawork that’s presumably intended to goose along the action but mostly just obscures it. Cinematographer Nick Matthews seems especially averse to lighting people’s faces. When Travolta and Dorff finally square off in a barn, we can barely see them.” – North Shore Movies, 08/04/2023
“It’s a potential parent’s worst-case nightmare of an ugly, unlovable time-suck taking over your life and the sleep-deprived psychosis of a purgatorial existence with a sick, disgusting child that Will. Not. Stop. Crying. Basically, if you’ve ever had a panic attack worrying that you might have knocked up your girlfriend, this is the movie playing in your head.” – Crooked Marquee, 08/04/2023
“Is representation alone enough to merit recommendation? In the summer of 2018, while trying to stay out of the Crazy Rich Asians debate that animates the first and best part of Park’s film, I meekly noted that in a perfect world, people of all races and backgrounds would have their own mediocre romantic comedies. Shortcomings suggests we’re well on our way.” – WBUR’s Arts & Culture, 08/03/2023
SPLICED PERSONALITY 