San Francisco Chronicle by Mick LaSalle

It is partly a failure, but mostly it succeeds, and the film's aspiration is so enormous that that's enough for a moving experience.

Los Angeles Times by Kenneth Turan

Because it is fearlessly sincere and not totally successful, Winter's Tale is easy to mock. But it is also hard not to admire its willingness to go all out in its quest for the grandest of romantic gestures.

Village Voice by Stephanie Zacharek

Winter's Tale, however imperfect, is that rare beast on the movie landscape: an unapologetic romance (for the first two-thirds, anyway), with attractive stars and special effects designed to give audiences something other than the experience of watching worlds get blown up.

Christian Science Monitor by Peter Rainer

If only there was less mush and more meat in this stew.

Boston Globe by Ty Burr

Goldsman takes Helprin’s book — a work overflowing with events, ideas, characters, passions — and pounds away at it until all that’s left is mush.

Chicago Tribune by Michael Phillips

Despite the actors, who at least get some swell clothes to wear, Winter's Tale is a bit of a soul-crusher itself.

Miami Herald by Connie Ogle

Unfortunately there’s far too little magic in this clumsy attempt to marry fantasy and realism; the film doesn’t have the grace or imagination to bridge the gaps between the two.

Entertainment Weekly by Chris Nashawaty

It's no coincidence that Winter's Tale is being released on Valentine's Day, when our resistance to schmaltz is at its weakest. But do that special someone in your life a favor and splurge on some flowers and a nice heart-shaped Russell Stover box instead.

Arizona Republic by Bill Goodykoontz

Earnest in its ambition but dopey in its execution, Winter’s Tale never takes flight.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service by Roger Moore

Winter’s Tale has no narrative drive and too little heart to come off.