34
Metascore
10 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 75USA TodayScott BowlesUSA TodayScott BowlesIt's no "Taxi Driver" or even "Open Water," but Route has enough attractions to warrant the trip.
- 60The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeThe Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeThe movie becomes a survival tale and is more successful in its grueling, slightly crazed second half. The Goetzes do a better job capturing the terrain's physical extremes and the challenge of endurance than they do depicting a relationship.
- 60Village VoiceRob StaegerVillage VoiceRob StaegerKevin and Michael Goetz's direction emphasizes the remoteness of the setting. The howl of the desert wind and the unflagging hammer of the sun are the backdrop for every bad decision, lending them a plausibility they wouldn't have in comfort.
- 50The DissolveMike D'AngeloThe DissolveMike D'AngeloDuhamel and Fogler play off each other nicely in the early going... The arguments and contrasting worldviews are banal, but the relationship feels genuine.
- 40New York Daily NewsNew York Daily NewsThe first half of Scenic Route is basically a filmed play, and not an insightful one. The more surreal second half takes on a moodier edge, but the switcheroo ending is cutesy to the point of annoying. Fogler impresses with some brooding edge, but neither he nor the location photography is enough to recommend you join him on this doomed trip.
- 30Los Angeles TimesInkoo KangLos Angeles TimesInkoo KangWhile the narrative spins in place, Kyle Killen's script throws out one uninspired gambit after another to extend the film to feature length, eventually climaxing with dual endings, both contrived.
- 25San Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco ChronicleSometimes indie pictures like this, with over-the-top acting and outrageous situations, are meant as a calling card for its creators - a chance to show their wares to others in the industry. So calling all producers, there is one tour-de-force performance in Scenic Route: the makeup team of Brian Kinney, Sara Robey and Maia Wagle. Admire their work, and bring earplugs.
- 20The New York TimesStephen HoldenThe New York TimesStephen HoldenAn awkward, long-winded mash-up of therapy session, horror movie and survival tale with pretensions of psychological depth.
- Digital projection has made it easier than ever to get no-budget movies onto theater screens. That might sound wonderfully egalitarian, but it mostly just leads to more shoulda-gone-straight-to-DVD clunkers like Scenic Route.