The Stone Angel 2007

Amy Nicholson, Boxoffice Magazine: The only way to enjoy Kari Skogland's epic portrait of a miserable 90-year- woman named Hagar (Ellen Burstyn) is to reframe it as Scary Movie for weepies. Read more

Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times: Left me feeling respectfully indifferent, as if I'd been served a nutritious meal that was only fleetingly satisfying. Read more

Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times: Although talented newcomer Christine Horne is ideal as the younger Hagar, letting Burstyn play the character at around 50, despite best-effort lighting, was not the wisest choice. Read more

Tim Grierson, L.A. Weekly: A stubbornly affecting drama that's strongest in its quieter moments. Read more

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: Writer-director Kari Skogland adapts a beloved Canadian novel gracefully and with plenty of spunk, the same way its main character moves through the world from cradle to grave. Read more

Lou Lumenick, New York Post: Despite a terrific lead performance by Ellen Burstyn, Kari Skogland's epic The Stone Angel is a lesson in the perils of trying to cram a hefty Canadian novel that spans decades into a movie running just under two hours. Read more

Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail: There is a reverence for the idea of Laurence's book but ultimately, in spite of its spiced-up sex scenes, it's much tamer and more conventional. Read more

Philip Marchand, Toronto Star: These elemental forces fuel a compelling narrative, but the second half of the movie starts to drift. Read more

David Fear, Time Out: Read more

Eddie Cockrell, Variety: A tastefully reverent, fundamentally sincere treatment of Margaret Laurence's 1964 Manitoba-based novel, a staple for Canada's 12th graders. Read more