ALL MY SONS Reviews — Page 2

EW Review: B-
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20233866,00.html

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AM New York gives the show 2 1/2 Stars out of 4:

'We have a lot to say about the artistic merits and drawbacks of Simon McBurney’s revival of Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons.” But we know what you want to hear: can Katie Holmes (aka Mrs. Tom Cruise) act in an intense Broadway play?

And here’s our answer: No! Well, at least not very well. In the supporting role of Ann Deever, Holmes shows spunk and a radiating stage presence, but absolutely no nuance or control of her voice. She performs all her lines in a broad, wooden and non-specific manner...'

http://weblogs.amny.com/entertainment/stage/blog/2008/10/theater_review_of_all_my_sons.html

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John Simon is Mixed-to-Negative:

'Although not fitting the authorial description of Joe Keller, Lithgow delivers his customary persuasive performance, plus the acrobatics of some superfluous McBurneyan tumbles clear across the floor. As wife Kate, Wiest is equally impressive, playing one of those schematically suffering Miller spouses...

...Wilson, as surviving son Chris, confirms his status as one of our most versatile, all-purpose young actors. Holmes proves that her appealing presence in several movies translates seamlessly to the stage. She plays Ann with a deft mixture of romantic girlishness and barely concealed anger over her unjust fate. A thoroughly serviceable supporting cast, including the supererogatory extras, rounds out the picture.

Even aside from the obvious crowd-pleasing strategies, ``All My Sons' leaves me with the oft-repeated feeling: What does it say about the American (or perhaps even world) theater that a playwright of such manifest limitations is reckoned as one of its pinnacle-sharing mainstays?'

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601098&sid=aAev0ETNINgo&refer=movie

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REVIEW ROUNDUP

Hartford Courant
Journal News
Newark Star-Ledger
Newsday
TheaterMania
Word of Mouth
Rave

NY1
Variety
Very Positive

Daily News
Positive

AM New York
New York Post
USA Today
Mixed-to-Positive

Entertainment Weekly
Mixed

John Simon
Mixed-to-Negative

The New York Times
Talkin' Broadway
Wall Street Journal
Very Negative

Associated Press
New York Magazine
New York Observer
Pan

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Updated On: 11/18/08 at 11:24 PM

Wow.

Was NOT expecting that from Brantley.

^ Exactly! With the exception of Wilson and Lithgow, this production is pretty horrid. Especially the direction.

I'm in disbelief about anything negative about Dianne Wiest. I just... wow. She was mesmerizing, in my opinion.

Well, that's theatre. Sparks different reactions. I loved this production and I stand by it :)

From Rooney's always-wonderfully-written review in Variety:

"The only bothersome weakness is the choice to dissolve
from the operatic final tableau to a projected image of a
contemporary crowd scene, indicating a reluctance to trust
the audience. Miller's still-cogent play and this
emotionally charged production offer enough haunting
reminders throughout of who and where we are as a country
and a people, without the need for a closing visual
assist."

I just found that really interesting because, not having seen the production but wanting to read about it on the board, I've seen an almost identical reaction and comment in MANY of your personal reviews. It seems that this final moment really was a mistake, especially for people who were so positively impacted by the production. It's a shame that the ending puts such a damper on that experience. Little things really do make a difference.

the reviews are as mixed as I expected. I saw the show last Wednesday, and while all of the actors are wonderful and perform to the best of their abilities, McBurney's concept and direction are incredibly flawed and push the play towards wildly contrived melodrama.

I think Brantley's review is one of the best I've read of his.

Add me to the list who thinks the play was all about McBurney. I'm thrilled that the decision to use the music and projections got the proper ire from critics. The last one in particular yanked me out of the moment and ruin the end of the show for me.

They should have transferred the brilliant LA production from a few years ago with Len Cariou, Laurie Metcalf, and Neill Patrick Harris. After seeing that company perform this material, I think every other production would pale in comparison.

I know I'm a little late to the game, but I just saw this production tonight, and I was absolutely blown away. I thought it was incredible. Flawless.

I don't understand how Brantley can rave about the recent revival of MACBETH, which used essentially the same concepts as this revival, and then pan the use of the video and music here.

I thought they were extremely effective and blended beautifully with the acting.

I thought Diane Wiest was magnificent, the clear stand out among a top notch cast. John Lithgow was terrific, as was Patrick Wilson, and I thought Katie Holmes did quite well in her small role. A perfectly respectable debut performance.

I encourage people to see this production and decide for yourself. For me, it was one of the finest productions of any play I have ever seen.

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