The most effective scenes are strong enough that Penguin Bloom might be worth a view regardless of its overall quality.

It is a good movie, with stretches of greatness.

There is truth in what they have to say, though don’t let that scare you; it is fun to watch these personalities bounce off each other.

Though most of what is going on outside of her central story is only okay, when it concentrates on Sandra it is really good.

There is so much life and emotion, in both the words and the acting, that the staging seldom feels limited.

This isn’t merely a spin on a genre; it is a thoughtful character study that subtly tackles womanhood, motherhood and race.

Its production, structure and performances are all fantastic, making for an entertainment as alive as the classic that inspired it.

The story itself would’ve sufficed, but there’s too much hand-holding in Sorkin’s screenplay to let viewers come to our own conclusions.

A funny and charming character study about a writer's artistic struggle.

When it steps away from its plot, focusing instead on the issues the characters face, and on its lead performance, it is captivating.