Washington Post by Desson Thomson

It's full of good heart, and you can't help but like its unequivocal sentimentality.

Wall Street Journal by Joe Morgenstern

A surprising, entirely beguiling little film.

Variety by Eddie Cockrell

The star plays Doyle as just rough enough around the edges to warrant the character's setbacks, but not so unpleasant that the twinkle in his eye is extinguished.

Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert

Told with the frank simplicity of a classic well-made picture, it tells its story, nothing more, nothing less, with no fancy stuff. We relax as if we've found a good movie on cable. Story is everything here.

Philadelphia Inquirer by Steven Rea

Doesn't overdo it on the 1950s period charm -- lots of tweed, old cars and bikes, great woolly sweaters and painted rowhouses -- and the performances never get out of hand, even when the plot does.

ReelViews by James Berardinelli

A shamelessly uplifting motion picture that attains its feel-good status by forging a deep emotional connection between the undertrodden protagonist and the audience.

Boston Globe by Janice Page

Isn't just a feel-good movie; it's a feel-good-and-righteous movie. And audiences will forgive its flaws.

New York Daily News by Jami Bernard

The story is predictable, even bland, but the stellar cast, detailed set design and abundance of good humor elevate it from the typical feel-good movie. It makes for intelligent counterprogramming against some of the season's harder-edged fare.

Chicago Tribune by Michael Wilmington

If the real-life story is genuinely inspirational, the movie stirs us as well.

Dallas Observer by Gregory Weinkauf

James Bond wants us to believe he's an Everyman. The lovely thing is, it works.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer by Sean Axmaker

It's crowd-pleasing stuff, to be sure.

New York Post by Jonathan Foreman

Despite its treacly sentimentality, predictability and gutless evasiveness about the power of the church in 1950s Ireland, Evelyn manages to be an enjoyable piece of family entertainment.

Chicago Reader by J.R. Jones

Soggy and predictable screenplay.

TV Guide Magazine by Ken Fox

While Brosnan, an Irishman by birth, lays it on bit thick, his performance is surprisingly effective.

Washington Post by Ann Hornaday

As vivid as many scenes are, there are just as many that seem taken directly out of the Cute Irish Movie notebook.

Salon by Stephanie Zacharek

May be a weightless picture, but it's hardly torture to sit through. Just watch out for those angel rays.

Miami Herald by Connie Ogle

There was a fine family drama to be made here, but what we get instead is too sweet to swallow.

Village Voice by Michael Atkinson

Every other line is a coy Oirishism, and Brosnan, despite being Irish, isn't any more convincing than twinkly-eyed barmaid Julianna Margulies.