71
Metascore
7 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 90The New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisThe New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisDelicate and autobiographical (Wang Han was the director’s name when he was a child, and the story is constructed from his boyhood memories), 11 Flowers clings steadfastly to its youthful point of view.
- 88Slant MagazineSlant MagazineBecause of its choice in subjectivity, and despite the film's historical context, 11 Flowers firmly elevates the experience of the personal over the political.
- 80NPRMark JenkinsNPRMark JenkinsHis latest, the earthy yet subtly evocative 11 Flowers, is in the same mode as the one that's best known in the U.S., 2001's "Beijing Bicycle." Both are simple, resonant tales of youths who have something taken from them.
- 63New York PostFarran Smith NehmeNew York PostFarran Smith Nehme11 Flowers boils down to a coming-of-age tale merged with a why-dunit — not unlike “To Kill a Mockingbird” — but the plot is molasses-slow, as threads are dropped, picked up and dropped again.
- 60Time OutDavid FearTime OutDavid FearOnce the murderer starts relying on the lad’s kindness, all the preceding kid stuff starts to take on a purposefully sour tang.
- 60New York Daily NewsElizabeth WeitzmanNew York Daily NewsElizabeth WeitzmanWang Xiaoshuai’s gently engrossing coming-of-age tale isn’t strikingly unique, but it does possess the heartfelt confidence that comes from autobiographical influence — and natural talent.
- 60New Orleans Times-PicayuneMike ScottNew Orleans Times-PicayuneMike ScottEnds up being foreign but familiar, artful and honest, as well as beautiful and believable.