73
Metascore
26 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100Film ThreatPhil HallFilm ThreatPhil HallCantet weaves a dark, disturbing story of hedonism, casual racism and the lethal consequences of self-indulgence in his superb drama Heading South.
- 100The New York TimesStephen HoldenThe New York TimesStephen HoldenA beautifully written, seamlessly directed film with award-worthy performances by Ms. Rampling and Ms. Young.
- 88TV Guide MagazineKen FoxTV Guide MagazineKen FoxDirector Laurent Cantet's fourth feature abandons the contentious French workplaces of "Human Resources" and "Time Out" for sunnier climes, but this Haitian idyll is an equally excoriating look at labor and exploitation.
- 80SalonStephanie ZacharekSalonStephanie ZacharekHeading South is a seemingly straightforward and simple picture that's really defiantly complex, sexually, politically and emotionally.
- 75Christian Science MonitorPeter RainerChristian Science MonitorPeter RainerEvocative and disturbing.
- 70Chicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumChicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumThe film tackles more than it can master, but it's never less than fascinating, and all three leads are exceptional.
- 70Village VoiceJ. HobermanVillage VoiceJ. HobermanAn intelligent movie, not so much salacious as affecting but ultimately less analytical than overwrought, Heading South makes its points in the first 20 minutes.
- 60The Hollywood ReporterRay BennettThe Hollywood ReporterRay BennettCantet keeps a lid on a story that he could have easily exploited, but he makes his points about beauty, fulfillment, self-indulgence and delusion with a measured hand.
- 58The A.V. ClubNoel MurrayThe A.V. ClubNoel MurrayHeading South's gender politics keep the movie from being too simple, since these women's self-indulgence can be read as a kind of unfettered (and even laudable) feminism, instead of just unintentional racism.