71
Metascore
16 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 83Entertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumEntertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumAs an exception to the norm, Kitano doesn't appear this time, confining himself merely to writing, directing, and editing.
- 80Film ThreatFilm ThreatThe cinematography is stunning, particularly where Matsumoto and Sawoko walk through the four seasons of life.
- 75New York PostV.A. MusettoNew York PostV.A. MusettoLush and poetic, Dolls proves once again that Kitano is one of the world's most original filmmakers.
- 70VarietyDavid RooneyVarietyDavid RooneyDespite an excessively meandering final act, the drama's three intertwined stories have a cumulative impact, their affecting sadness matched by meticulously composed visual poetry.
- 70The New York TimesStephen HoldenThe New York TimesStephen HoldenWith some staggeringly beautiful photography of cherry blossoms and scarlet autumn leaves, Dolls is so enthralled with its own cinematography that it can't bear to edit itself, and during the autumn and winter segments of the bound beggars' journey, it almost reaches a standstill.
- 70Los Angeles TimesCarina ChocanoLos Angeles TimesCarina ChocanoThe movie's pace is appropriate to its mood, which is crisp, melancholy and gently cruel.
- 63New York Daily NewsRobert DominguezNew York Daily NewsRobert DominguezRife with beautiful imagery and loads of symbolism, though none of the stories is particularly compelling on its own.
- 60TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonaghTV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonaghWhether this measured exercise in romantic melancholy moves you to tears or bores you to them is probably a matter of personal susceptibility to the sting of bitter regret for love lost.
- 50Village VoiceMichael AtkinsonVillage VoiceMichael AtkinsonDolls risks the bank on symbology as gaudy as teen anime and as heavy as a stone temple.
- 40The Hollywood ReporterThe Hollywood ReporterDolls soon becomes overloaded with symbolism, and consequently suffocates the audience.