Loving Highsmith is about loving Highsmith and all that implies. As such, it gets the job done perfectly.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
The New York Times by Amy Nicholson
Most of her exes’ memories stop short of being psychologically insightful. Strung together, however, these tender confidences shape an outline of a woman who never trusted anyone with her heart.
Washington Post by Ann Hornaday
Ultimately, “Loving Highsmith” provides a valuable addition to the larger record of the author’s enigmatic life, rather than a comprehensive chronicle itself. Which might be altogether fitting for a woman who always seemed to prefer to remain just out of reach.
It is, above all else, a fascinating window into the personal and creative life of a queer woman constantly rebelling against the restrictive social norms of her time while trying to decipher what kind of person she is herself.
The Hollywood Reporter by David Rooney
In its fine balance of emotional and intellectual curiosity, and its elegant assembly of a rich archive of home movies, photographs and interviews, this film unpacks those memories with beguiling candor
We learn in the documentary Loving Highsmith that the author herself knew plenty about the duality that defined so many of her characters.
Los Angeles Times by Gary Goldstein
Loving Highsmith is a well-intentioned effort; a respectable start. But perhaps a more definitive and dimensional documentary — or even narrative feature — about this singularly intriguing talent will still be made.
As seen through the eyes of her former lovers (merely a few of many), Highsmith’s life is brought sharply into focus, revealing as much about her humanity as her work.
Eva Vitija’s documentary is lean and lucid and even at 84 minutes never feels hurried.