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THE SWELL SEASONMovie Reviews
Documentary about Oscar winners Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, whose fictional romance blurred with reality in the movie 'Once,' as they fell in love, recorded an album, and embarked on a world tour. Cast:Glen Hansard, Markéta IrglováDirector:Nick August-Perna, Chris DapkinsRelease Date:October 7, 2011DVD Release:March 13, 2012From:Seventh Art ProductionsLength:1 hr 30 min
The Swell Season played in key cities to good reviews. • Moira Macdonald wrote in the Seattle Times, "...uneven, but it's full of vivid moments between two painfully honest, likable people, learning some hard truths about fame and love." • And Ann Hornaday wrote in the Washington Post, "...makes a convincing case that endings can be just as full of promise as the most seemingly charmed beginnings." More Reviews Below...
The Swell Season Positive Reviews (19 Reviews, reviews below)
The Swell Season has not been reviewed by Broad National Press
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (9 Reviews)
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...a poignant commentary on the uneasy commingling of love and fame.... Lovely but directionless... a time capsule of scattered impressions and isolated moments."(See all of Jeannette Catsoulis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 482 words, 10/21/11
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...the oddness of actually being sought-after was something neither was prepared for.... disarming and intimate.... a delectable, music-filled road trip/therapy session..."(See all of Joe Neumaier's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 318 words, 10/21/11
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...extraordinary... In the end, despite all its disparate parts, it somehow coalesces beautifully into a moving portrait of two musicians who fell in love -- once."(See all of Betsy Sharkey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 694 words, 10/07/11
Kyle Smith, New York Post: VERY GOOD(cg) "...has the same disarming genuineness that made 'Once' so appealing.... the film is in part a chronicle of their breakup.... a tender little piece of heartbreak."(See all of Kyle Smith's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 216 words, 10/21/11
Peter Howell, Toronto Star: VERY GOOD(cg) "...they were the couple who defined love in all its irrational glory.... 'You guys are a beautiful story,' a fan gushes backstage. 'I hope you make it until the end of time.' "(See all of Peter Howell's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 459 words, 01/13/12
Karina Longworth, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...might seem like a bittersweet revelation... But to viewers without a preexisting emotional relationship to the couple and their saga, that everyday angst is just banal."(See all of Karina Longworth's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 244 words, 10/19/11
Guy Dixon, Toronto Globe & Mail: VERY GOOD(cg) "The question subtly, craftily documented is whether the fans or Hansard himself want to see the singer cast in the new role of success."(See all of Guy Dixon's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 676 words, 01/13/12
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...both a superficial concert movie and an unflinching portrait of a decaying relationship... an utterly compelling fly-on-the-wall experience."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 273 words, 01/12/12
KEY CITIES (5 Reviews)
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post: VERY GOOD(cg) "...intimate and disarming... makes a convincing case that endings can be just as full of promise as the most seemingly charmed beginnings."(See all of Ann Hornaday's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 399 words, 11/23/11
Walter Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle: MODERATE(cg) "...overall seems like a collection of bits and pieces, and it's hard to see how it could have much resonance for non-fans of Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová."(See all of Walter Addiego's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 194 words, 11/25/11
Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "...uneven, but it's full of vivid moments between two painfully honest, likable people, learning some hard truths about fame and love."(See all of Moira Macdonald's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 327 words, 11/11/11
Stan Hall, Portland Oregonian: VERY GOOD(cg) "Success in music could not have happened for two sweeter, more well-meaning people... exposes a romantic relationship that is falling, slowly."(See all of Stan Hall's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 123 words, 10/07/11
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (6 Reviews)
Karina Longworth, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...might seem like a bittersweet revelation... But to viewers without a preexisting emotional relationship to the couple and their saga, that everyday angst is just banal."(See all of Karina Longworth's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 244 words, 10/19/11
Tasha Robinson, AV Club: MODERATE(cg) "...holds few significant revelations for fans of 'Once' and The Swell Season's music... it's still an admirably up-close portrait of Hansard and Irglová."(See all of Tasha Robinson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 484 words, 10/06/11
Alison Willmore, Movieline: VERY GOOD(cg) "...an eloquent summation of the complexities and strength of Hansard and Irglová's bond, and a poetic cap to the pair's fictional and real ups and downs..."(See all of Alison Willmore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 812 words, 10/06/11
Nick Schager, Slant: MODERATE(cg) "...presents a disparate series of affecting moments. Ultimately, though, they never cohere into something more than a moderately engaging for-fans-only tour diary."(See all of Nick Schager's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 465 words, 04/22/11
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...both a superficial concert movie and an unflinching portrait of a decaying relationship... an utterly compelling fly-on-the-wall experience."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 273 words, 01/12/12
HIGHBROW PRESS (2 Reviews)
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...a poignant commentary on the uneasy commingling of love and fame.... Lovely but directionless... a time capsule of scattered impressions and isolated moments."(See all of Jeannette Catsoulis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 482 words, 10/21/11
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...extraordinary... In the end, despite all its disparate parts, it somehow coalesces beautifully into a moving portrait of two musicians who fell in love -- once."(See all of Betsy Sharkey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 694 words, 10/07/11
MOVIE INDUSTRY (4 Reviews)
Ronnie Scheib, Daily Variety: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...closely follows the further fortunes of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova... never really gathers momentum... a collection of moments..."(See all of Ronnie Scheib's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 557 words, 06/13/11
John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter: GOOD "...presents a couple that, however deep their bonds, can't live a storybook life for long.... makes a bruised-but-sweet flip side to 'Once's' dreamy love song."(See all of John DeFore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 573 words, 04/22/11
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...extraordinary... In the end, despite all its disparate parts, it somehow coalesces beautifully into a moving portrait of two musicians who fell in love -- once."(See all of Betsy Sharkey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 694 words, 10/07/11
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...a poignant commentary on the uneasy commingling of love and fame.... Lovely but directionless... a time capsule of scattered impressions and isolated moments."(See all of Jeannette Catsoulis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 482 words, 10/21/11
12.0 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
The Swell Season's reviews are separated by an average 12.0 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
The Swell Season (19 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:The Swell Season's reviews cover 17.5% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 7,706 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 406 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
The Swell Season Coverage, Volume & Length (19 Reviews, reviews below)
Reviews Broke 12 Days After Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
The Swell Season's reviews on average broke 12 days after opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is The Swell Season's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
The Swell Season (19 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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