70
Fascinating on social and theological levels, the film is less compelling as a straightforward narrative. Still, adventurous filmgoers will be rewarded by its unusually open-ended storyline.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
50
Either a subtly subversive black comedy, a deeply spiritual portrait of physical rebirth or a whole lot of nothing in a self-consciously arty package, Lourdes isn't about to reveal its true colors anytime soon.
100
Sly and suggestive, Lourdes is a cosmic black comedy that bumps up against the metaphysical.
38
It'll be a real miracle if anyone manages to stay awake throughout this extravagantly dull film.
100
Entertainment Weekly by Lisa Schwarzbaum
Beautifully led by birdlike Sylvie Testud as an ailing young woman in a wheelchair, every character (pilgrim and helper alike) exhibits a soul. And shaped with confident talent by the Austrian filmmaker, every serenely composed shot matters.
70
The New York Times by Manohla Dargis
One of the pleasures of this intelligent, rigorously thoughtful, somewhat sly film is that it takes place in the space between the inexplicable (no explanation is possible) and the unexplained (enlightenment might be around the corner).
80
Boxoffice Magazine by Pam Grady
This drama is something of a miracle itself: a film dealing with religion that is refreshingly free of dogma.
75
Lourdes starts from the unexpected position of believing miracles are possible, but it doesn’t paper over the religious and practical problems they raise--for the blessed and bereft alike.