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The Boy Downstairs (2018) - Critic Reviews - Page 2 of 2

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Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Susan Granger (2,214) for SSG Syndicate (1,551) on 22 Mar 2018

The problem with awkward, indecisive, ordinary people is that they're dull to watch - and Sophie Brooks' low-key rom-com hits all the boring buttons…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Roger Moore (6,008) for Movie Nation (3,875) on 03 Mar 2018

There’s not much to say about the enervated romance The Boy Downstairs, except that literally every character and actor playing that character…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Dan Lybarger (786) for Film Threat (5,156) on 01 Mar 2018

Rookie feature director Sophie Brooks can get away with a few missteps in The Boy Downstairs because she understands one basic truth: Love…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Travis Hopson (923) for Punch Drunk Critics (518) on 26 Feb 2018

The combination of Brooks' sharp writing and ear for dialogue with Mamet's neurotic charms is why The Boy Downstairs is such a surprising treat…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Sheri Linden (962) for Los Angeles Times (12,977) on 22 Feb 2018

As the film moves elegantly between past and present, Brooks proves a keen observer of behavior and the pitfalls of overthinking…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Sara Stewart (700) for New York Post (6,650) on 21 Feb 2018

More frustratingly, Brooks jumps back and forth in time between the couple’s past relationship and the current day, with nary a physical…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Chloe Walker (42) for Film Inquiry (1,269) on 20 Feb 2018

Though the film is small in scope, and much more adept at comedy than romance, first-time writer-director Sophie Brooks tells her story with…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Susan Wloszczyna (541) for RogerEbert.com (5,563) on 16 Feb 2018

Any movie that can bring to mind a Joni Mitchell song as the credits roll — “Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Ben Kenigsberg (863) for The New York Times (9,847) on 15 Feb 2018

How, and in whose apartment, Diana and Ben will confess their emotions is the subject of Ms…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Serena Donadoni (158) for Village Voice (8,525) on 14 Feb 2018

The writer-director’s first feature is warmly affectionate and maddeningly vague, with half-formed characters, limp plotting, and performances…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Keith Watson (196) for Slant Magazine (8,298) on 12 Feb 2018

Endeavoring to give us a post-mumblecore spin on Annie Hall, writer-director Sophie Brooks seemingly fails to understand what made Woody Allen's…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Jonita Davis (21) for Black Girl Nerds (256) on 06 Feb 2018

The Boy Downstairs expertly veers away from the hurtful break-up tropes and ex-girlfriend stereotypes to bring a story that could have happened…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Erika W. Smith (54) for Bust Magazine (182) on 01 Feb 2018

It's an interesting take on a romance plot, but while Ben is definitely cute, he and Diana have no real chemistry - I didn't particularly care…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By John Defore (1,351) for The Hollywood Reporter (7,050) on 21 May 2017

The pic may have an unlikely story (in real-world love affairs, this kind of second chance rarely ends happily), but benefits from unusually…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Rodrigo Perez (382) for The Playlist (3,871) on 21 May 2017

The Boy Downstairs straddles a patchy line between comedy and drama with mixed results, but when all is said and done, the auspicious film…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Owen Gleiberman (3,271) for Variety (12,700) on 21 May 2017

Mamet has a quick, spry reaction time and a gently forlorn focus that holds the screen, and she holds this movie together…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Jacob Oller (247) for Paste Magazine (2,906) on 10 May 2017

Named like a horror movie but packaged like a rom-com, The Boy Downstairs is a sweet showcase of writer/director Sophie Brooks' takes on memory,…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Aubrey Page (14) for Collider (1,032) on 07 May 2017

Brooks perfectly captures the party dynamic of young Brooklyn gatherings, vividly skewering hipster hookup culture and mustachioed meet-cutes…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Jason Bailey (832) for Flavorwire (598) on 03 May 2017

Brooks has a good ear for everyday wit, and a good eye for lived-in detail…

Review of The Boy Downstairs (2018)

By Nathanael Hood (305) for The Young Folks (1,024) on 27 Apr 2017

In trying to say something about life and the experiences of disillusioned, confused young people, it ends up saying nothing…

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