Share

Watch It

On DVD: Now | On Blu-ray: TBD
Watch it on iTunes Buy on Amazon

The Clearing Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    60

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 50

    out of 100

    The New York Times Dave Kehr

    Mr. Brugge has perhaps succeeded in avoiding vulgar melodrama, but he has hit on something far worse -- a bloodless melodrama, with bottled water running in its veins.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    The Clearing has been directed by a successful producer. In this case it's Pieter Jan Brugge, who brings seriousness and intelligence to his newly chosen craft, but little verve.

  • 60

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt

    The real problem is that Brugge and Haythe fail to satisfactorily pull off either the thriller or the marital deconstruction.

    Read Full Review

  • 63

    out of 100

    USA Today Mike Clark

    This is one of those moderately engrossing movies that seems to collapse all at once during the wrap-up, yet it's well-acted all around.

    Read Full Review

  • 67

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    The Clearing is what's known in the biz as an alternative for adult moviegoers. Which is to say the film is a performance-driven drama devoid of special effects and loud noises. On the contrary, it's a meditation on midlife weaknesses and compensation.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Variety Todd McCarthy

    Classy, decorous and well acted, directorial debut by Hollywood producer Pieter Jan BruggePieter Jan Brugge is nicely crafted but too buttoned up to generate more than polite interest, much less the urgent excitement a kidnapping story might be expected to trigger.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    The Clearing doesn't feel bound by the usual formulas of crime movies. What eventually happens will emerge from the personalities of the characters, not from the requirements of Hollywood endings.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas

    A beautiful and consistently engaging film, but that the filmmakers dared cast all three lead roles with actors who are over 40 makes it especially rewarding.

    Read Full Review

  • See all The Clearing reviews at Metacritic.com

View MoreView Less

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 16+

Good performances almost make it worthwhile.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this movie has brief strong language and some violence. Characters drink and smoke. There are sexual references, including adultery. There are very tense scenes that may be upsetting to some audience members.

  • Families can talk about the choices made by Wayne and Eileen. If you had the chance to write a note like the one Wayne writes to Eileen, what would it say?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Not an issue

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence: Tense and violent scenes.

  • sex false3

    Sex: Sexual references, including adultery.

  • language false3

    Language: Brief strong language.

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Smoking, drinking.

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

View MoreView Less
Advertisement