It's hugely ambitious, with a sweeping range of character types, frequently shifting moods, stylistic flourishes of many kinds, and some mighty wry satire, aimed largely at the world of psychotherapy.
90
Chicago Reader
Chicago Reader
Arnaud Desplechin's best movie to date.
90
Village VoiceJ. Hoberman
Village VoiceJ. Hoberman
This extravagant family melodrama, one of the highlights of last year's New York Film Festival, runs two and a half hours and never lags, so moment-to-moment enthralling are Desplechin's narrative gambits, as well as his reckless eccentricity.
88
New York PostKyle Smith
New York PostKyle Smith
A long, messy cinematic novel full of hate, love, murder, ghosts, madness, poetry and Catherine Deneuve.
80
The New York TimesManohla Dargis
The New York TimesManohla Dargis
Late in his new film Kings and Queen, the wildly gifted French director Arnaud Desplechin yanks the rug from under his characters and sends both them and us reeling.