75
Metascore
28 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100Christian Science MonitorDavid SterrittChristian Science MonitorDavid SterrittCan a misguided adult start afresh with a new set of values and priorities? This ambitious drama, directed by one of France's most resourceful filmmakers, explores that crucial question in depth and detail.
- 100PremiereGlenn KennyPremiereGlenn KennyA superb effort by a first-rank director, and manna from heaven for Cheung fans.
- 80The New York TimesStephen HoldenThe New York TimesStephen HoldenAlbrecht brings out a side of Mr. Nolte rarely seen on the screen, and he gives a deep and touching portrayal of a haggard, beleaguered older man.
- 75Entertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumEntertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumNot your average divorce gift: Clean's writer-director Olivier Assayas created the role of recovering rock-world druggie Emily Wang for his ex-wife, art-house/action-pic royalty Maggie Cheung (In the Mood for Love).
- 75The A.V. ClubScott TobiasThe A.V. ClubScott TobiasThe film gets its distinction from the performances by Cheung and Nolte, whose scenes together are suffused with loss and unexpected mutual compassion.
- 70Village VoiceMichael AtkinsonVillage VoiceMichael AtkinsonHitting the ground in his ultra-naturalistic mode, Assayas only uncages his star's formidable smile once or twice and never demands our empathy, making Clean a uniquely pungent portrait of dependent personalities and the strain they put on the social weave.
- 63The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Rick GroenThe Globe and Mail (Toronto)Rick GroenIt's not so much a movie in three acts as three movies stuffed into a single casing, and often showing the strain.
- 60The Hollywood ReporterRay BennettThe Hollywood ReporterRay BennettComplex but cold tale.
- 40EmpireAlan MorrisonEmpireAlan MorrisonBit of a mediocre drama from writer-director Assayas despite some good turns, not least from Nick Nolte and Beatrice Dalle.
- 40VarietyDavid RooneyVarietyDavid RooneyDramatically pallid and unconvincing. Despite being written for her, the director's "Irma Vep" muse Maggie Cheung seems oddly miscast here and is ill-served by an emotionally underpowered screenplay that rarely gets beneath the surface of the character's problems.