Reaching for the Moon

Rotten: In his 19th feature, Mr. Barreto assuredly embraces an approach that's counter to much received wisdom about Bishop's life and work. But his film ultimately dooms itself. – Nicolas Rapold, New York Times, Nov 7, 2013

Rotten: Everything ultimately gives way to the stately, simplistic, inevitable pace of by-the-numbers biopics, from some woefully tinny, hit-and-run screenwriting to the usual difficulties surrounding the dramatization of an author's craft. – Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, Nov 28, 2013

Fresh: The period detail is finely caught, the lovemaking scenes achieve a tenderness and intimacy rare in contemporary cinema, and for good measure a political coup is happening offstage. We more than get our money's worth. – Evan Williams, The Australian, Jul 23, 2014

Fresh: While the provincial Brazilian scenery and slick period production design are certainly seductive to the eye, it is what happens in the foreground that truly matters. – Leigh Paatsch, Herald Sun (Australia), Jul 17, 2014