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One True Thing Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

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

  • 4.0
    63

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally favorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 67

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    In the end, One True Thing suggests, families can be healed even in loss. This may not be a true thing, but at least this emotional drama offers up hope, sweet like one of Kate Gulden's tasty cakes.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    The New York Times Stephen Holden

    Bluntly, poignantly believable.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Variety Todd McCarthy

    As sensitively written, fluidly directed and expertly acted as it is, and as elemental as its dramatic conflicts may be, One True Thing has trouble breaking free of its limitations as a small-scale, modestly aimed family drama.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    USA Today Susan Wloszczyna

    When we first see Meryl Streep's happy homemaker in One True Thing, she's a domestic dinosaur circa late '80s, a regular mommy monster. [18 September 1998, p.3E]

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    It is the craftsmanship that elevates One True Thing above the level of a soaper.

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  • 75

    out of 100

    ReelViews James Berardinelli

    Although the plot rarely excels, the actors bring enough to their roles to transform this motion picture into a satisfying weeper.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

    One True Thing demonstrates that the power of simple things, the transcendent nature of the ordinary, can make for riveting filmmaking.

    Read Full Review

  • See all One True Thing reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 14+

Sad drama probably won't appeal to teens.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that brief profanity earns this film an R rating, and there are intense and disturbing scenes concerning Kate's illness and euthanasia. The movie probably will not have much appeal for teens, who are seldom ready to consider their parents as fully human, but those who want to see it may come away with a better appreciation for the complexity of relationships and the diversity of accomplishments.

  • Families can talk about this movie's messages about the complexity of relationships and the diversity of accomplishments.

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Not an issue

What to watch for
  • violence false2

    Violence: Intense and disturbing scenes concerning Kate's illness and euthanasia.

  • sex false0

    Sex: Mild.

  • language false3

    Language: Language earned this an R rating.

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false2

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Social drinking

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

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