Once Upon a Time in the Midlands Critic Reviews

Marvelously involving family saga. Read the full review

Charming family story. Read the full review

It evokes the atmosphere of a Sergio Leone Western, sneaking up under the movie's human comedy and adding a smile. Read the full review

What really separates "Midlands" from Leone's desiccated, terse genre work is Mr. Meadows's doting attention to his characters' decency. It gives a demonstrative bittersweetness to a likable but small story. Read the full review

Always predictable in its outcome, but it still retains a certain charm, mostly because of Meadows's cheerful sympathy and affection for his motley crew of characters. Read the full review

Sharply drawn and well-acted.Read the full review

There are instances when the filmmaker tries for Western iconography and settles for ''Full Monty'' ingratiation. Read the full review

Pure bangers-and-mash realism: a spotty yet ingratiating working-class farce that suggests a Mike Leigh movie with opera buffa tendencies. Read the full review

It's a compelling and ambitious idea, but one that misfires because of its underwhelming characters and slack storytelling. Read the full review