It might have been one of the year’s most anticipated films, but critics have not pulled any punches when it comes to the big-screen adaptation of The Goldfinch.
The Goldfinch – based on the Pulitzer-winning novel by Donna Tartt – is something film fans have been looking forward to ever since it was announced, not just because of the critical acclaim the novel received, but also because of its impressive all-star cast, which includes Nicole Kidman, Ansel Elgort, Sarah Paulson and Stranger Things’ Finn Wolfhard.
However, after receiving its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival over the weekend, critics have begun sharing their initial reviews on Twitter, and calling the film divisive would be putting it generously.
Among critics’ biggest qualms is the film’s length (which shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to anyone who has actually read the book), while it’s also been branded “deathly dull”, “shockingly bad” and even a “disaster”.
It’s not all bad news, though, with some singling out how well the film is shot, as well as praising performances from Nicole Kidman, Ansel Elgort and Finn Wolfhard.
Here’s a selection of what has been said so far…
Upon its release in 2013, the novel version of The Goldfinch topped the US bestsellers list for more than 30 weeks, similarly reaching the number one spot in the Sunday Times’ bestsellers list in the UK.
Aside from the aforementioned actors, the film also stars Aneurin Barnard, Luke Wilson, Jeffrey Wright and Denis O’Hare.
The Goldfinch will hit cinemas in the UK on 27 September.
