Buddy movies are a Hollywood staple, but Rory O'Shea Was Here puts a new and profoundly affecting spin on the tired genre.
75
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Superbly acted.
70
L.A. WeeklyElla Taylor
L.A. WeeklyElla Taylor
O'Donnell's directing is assured and glossy as befits a former maker of television commercials, and Jeffrey Caine's exuberant script sidesteps cliché -- just.
Better than the usual three-stage journey of courage, heartbreak and redemption. In this case, the triumph of the human spirit comes with a small bitter chaser.
60
Film Threat
Film Threat
A harmless little charmer with a uniformly fine cast, played by the numbers for full tear-jerking effect.
60
Village VoiceJessica Winter
Village VoiceJessica Winter
A plea for equality of opportunity, a worthy objective somewhat obscured by non-disabled actors occupying the lead roles. In any case, one imagines Rory himself would prefer a Farrelly disability blooper reel.
60
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
It wants to humanize the plight of the disabled, but it undermines its worthy aims by presenting its leads as martyrs and saints.
A shameless heart-tugger of considerable appeal that, like many movies that start off with much going for them, could have been so much better had its makers aimed higher.
50
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
Rory O'Shea Was Here gazes at the physically afflicted and just about begs for our sympathy long after we've grown restless and eager to feel something else.