“I found it beautiful, and haunting. The struggle of having a singular soul, and trying to force yourself to be happy in mindless society... struck a chord so deeply within me.” Rotten Tomatoes
“It shows the vulnerability of a socially scorn socialite & in the end, I felt for her... I wanted to be her friend.” Rotten Tomatoes 2014 Journal - The Tennessee Williams Annual Review
: Critics often felt the film was "trapped in amber," with a Reel Film Review noting an "inert pace" and dialogue that felt overly flowery and affected. The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond (2008)
Some viewers found the film's exploration of social isolation and sensitive souls to be deeply resonant despite the critical reception.
: While some found Chris Evans' performance to be proof of his "next generation brilliance," others felt he was "out of his depth" and struggled with the Southern accent. “I found it beautiful, and haunting
is a period drama directed by Jodie Markell that attempts to breathe life into a "long-lost" screenplay written by Tennessee Williams in 1957. Set in the 1920s American South, it follows Fisher Willow ( Bryce Dallas Howard ), a rebellious and unpopular socialite who hires Jimmy Dobyne ( Chris Evans ), the son of an alcoholic farmhand, to be her escort for the debutante season. Critical Consensus
The film received largely mixed to negative reviews, currently holding a on Rotten Tomatoes . While many critics praised the formal beauty and production design, the script was often described as "underbaked," "stale," and "laughably outdated". Key Strengths and Highlights I wanted to be her friend
: Reviewers from Behind the Lens highlighted the outstanding costuming and production design, which effectively evoke the "Roaring 20s" in Memphis, Tennessee.