Saffron Burrows is commanding as a distraught woman who finds a novel way to cope with tragedy, but the movie constantly subverts realistic detail with the fantastic in ways that are not dramatically satisfying.
Comment
10/18/08
Rate this Movie 
The Guitar (2008)
33
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work
Reviews Counted:18
Fresh:6
Rotten:12
Average Rating:4.6/10
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: One morning Mel, a mousy, harried New Yorker with a thankless job and an even-less-appealing boyfriend learns that the tumor in her throat is cancerous; the diagnosis is terminal, so it seems that... [More]
Starring: Isaach de Bankolé, Paz de la Huerta, Ashlie Atkinson, Chris Bauer
Director: Amy Redford
Reviews for The Guitar
1 - 18 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
We've probably all wondered what we'd do if given a few short months to live and the premise of The Guitar takes one self indulgent option
12/20/08
The Guitar is a lark, at best, but when Burrows' healing indulgence extends to taking on lovers of both sexes, its goofiness acquires a certain hedonistic charm.
11/20/08
A strong, kind-hearted start to a hopefully active career [for director Amy Redford].
11/10/08
An interesting premise is weakened by directorial callowness, tonal uncertainty and an unengaging central performance.
11/10/08
[A] bizarre art-house equiva lent of The Bucket Lisy.
11/07/08
That the movie is easy on the eyes (Melody's fetching silhouette against those sunset river views) doesn't make it any less bogus.
11/07/08
Top CriticI was seduced by Melody's story. Sucked in, enjoying Amy Redford's film despite myself.
11/07/08
Some new directors often opt for minimalism in the hope that less is more. This doesn't work for Amy Redford (Robert's daughter), who transitions from actress to filmmaker with The Guitar.
11/06/08
After spending 45 of the movie’s 95 minutes in an orgy of consumerism, The Guitar suddenly speeds up its tempo and begins bombarding us with plot developments.
11/05/08
The movie has more clichéd rebirths in mind, and you’ll resent where it goes.
11/05/08
Written by Amos Poe and directed with moxie by Amy Redford, it’s the ultimate movie about optimism.
11/05/08
You have to see it for yourself. It is that out-of-the-depths triumphant.
11/05/08
Interesting only in showing how tin-eared scriptwriting (by Amos Poe) can make 2008 New York City seem less familiar than 1952 Japan.
11/05/08
Without its weirdo visual flourishes, The Guitar would be completely reprehensible.
11/02/08
A sobering and resonant tale.
10/18/08
Top CriticTo be brutally honest, there are many other things I would rather do with my final days than sit through this clichéd mess all over again.
10/18/08
This beguiling wisp of a film charms and maddens in equal measure.
01/22/08
Top Critic1 - 18 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
More Movies
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 92% | Seraphine | 29/11 |
| 83% | Paranormal Activity | 25/11 |
| 23% | Law Abiding Citizen | 29/11 |
| — | Bunny and the Bull | 29/11 |
| — | Mr Right | 29/11 |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
RT on YouTube 
Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.
RT on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.
IGN RSS Feeds