83
Ultimately, Barney Thomson’s roots are exposed too easily, and the question of “where’d they get that from?” often trumps our curiosity of where the film at hand is going, and that’s a problem.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
60
Time Out London by Cath Clarke
There are more than a few false notes here.... Still, the sight of Emma Thompson, wearing old-lady prosthetics and a leopard skin coat as Barney’s mum...is not to be missed.
50
Los Angeles Times by Gary Goldstein
Despite the fertile concept, it's hard to care about, much less root for, the irritable, charisma-challenged Barney. The character never emerges as an effective hero or antihero, and performer Carlyle does little to mitigate that.
60
Thompson elevates and enervates every scene she’s in.
40
The Legend of Barney Thomson has a few redeeming features scattered throughout, but for Carlyle it's much too bland and undefined.
50
The Hollywood Reporter by Neil Young
While the casting of Thompson, just two years Carlyle's senior is a gamble that could easily have seemed gimmicky, the half-Scottish Oscar-winner is a riot as the grotesque Cemolina, a raucously broad-accented, chain-smoking schemer resplendent in faux-ocelot
60
The Guardian by Peter Bradshaw
Emma Thompson gives us a scene-stealing performance which is enjoyably macabre.
80
The Telegraph by Robbie Collin
Carlyle shoots the story with a propulsive, page-turning energy that’s enjoyably at odds with the Glasgow backdrop, which is dilapidated to the point of timelessness.
60
Merrily gruesome black comedy.