The Words

"A literary film that stands to work best for those who don't read, 'The Words' is a slick, superficially clever compendium of stories about authors of uncertain talent and varying success."

"The connections among the film's various plot strands are painfully obvious; by the time a grizzled Jeremy Irons saunters in, ready to dole out a comeuppance, perceptive viewers will have mentally flipped to the last page."

"A clever, entertaining yarn that doesn't bear close scrutiny."

"Watching the movie, I enjoyed the settings, the periods and the acting. I can't go so far as to say I cared about the story, particularly after it became clear that its structure was too clever by half."

"It's more or less a grown-up picture, and not bad at that, though its muted and patient style has both its merits and its drawbacks. Still, as I say: not bad."

"'The Words' is a movie for people who buy their novels at Starbucks, made by people who write their novels at Starbucks."