Its portrayal of Britt-Marie sometimes feels condescending, several of its plot turns make no sense, and its visuals add nothing that wasn’t already there in the original book.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
San Francisco Chronicle by David Lewis
The most refreshing thing about the movie is having a more mature woman at the center of the action, and August knows not to overreach here. She is dryly funny, but also subtly affecting, and it’s a pleasure to watch her heart and mind slowly but surely open up to life’s possibilities.
Arizona Republic by Garrett Mitchell
Britt-Marie Was Here succinctly crams in plenty of overwrought tropes but maintains a sentimental heart with its prickly heroine. Is it revolutionary? Not by any means. But is every journey of self-discovery supposed to be?
Los Angeles Times by Gary Goldstein
The film can’t quite surmount its fanciful conceit.
The New York Times by Teo Bugbee
Britt-Marie Was Here is a relatively unchallenging yet ultimately pleasant watch.