J. R. Jones Chicago Reader Jun 28, 2022

An excellent ensemble drama by writer-director Rodrigo Garcia.

Go to Full Review

Fernando F. Croce CinePassion Sep 1, 2009

Nine Lives, zero truth

Go to Full Review

Paul Byrnes Sydney Morning Herald Jun 6, 2008

Each woman has to turn herself inside out in continuous time. It has the demands of theatre and the intimacy of cinema.

Go to Full Review

Urban Cinefile Critics Urban Cinefile Apr 26, 2008

Loss is the common thread that binds the women in these nine snapshots that involve us in their intricate lives. Some stories work beautifully, while others are dull and hardly capture our interest

Go to Full Review

David Germain Associated Press Oct 1, 2007 B-

The stories are sketches, often without resolution, and while individual segments succeed admirably, taken together the portraits are a fitful match.

Go to Full Review

Paul Doro Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Oct 1, 2007 3/4

In the end, all of the pieces in Nine Lives fit together perfectly. If one story doesn't quite resonate for you, the next one likely will in this small but beautiful film.

Go to Full Review

Todd Gilchrist FilmStew.com Oct 1, 2007

Kathy Baker deserves and Oscar nomination for juggling so many different feelings during her slow, reluctant acquiescence to the drugs that may likely save her life.

Go to Full Review

Chelsea Bain Boston Herald Oct 21, 2006 3/4

Go to Full Review

Carolyn Arends Christianity Today Sep 27, 2006 3/4

Nine Lives had me tense, engaged, sometimes disgusted, sometimes moved, and always interested. Garcia is an ingenious and eloquent storyteller.

Go to Full Review

Jonathan Kiefer Sacramento News & Review May 12, 2006 4/5

Go to Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid Apr 27, 2006

A truly amazing film.

Go to Full Review

Scott Weinberg DVD Clinic Mar 28, 2006 4/5

It's as if we're randomly eavesdropping on the private concerns of one particular neighborhood ... a neighborhood that sure has its fair share of heartache.

Go to Full Review

James Plath Movie Metropolis Mar 4, 2006 7/10

Nine Lives isn't a master work, but it's still a fascinating piece of filmmaking.

Go to Full Review

David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Feb 23, 2006 3.5/4

...a remarkably powerful little film.

Go to Full Review

Robert W. Butler Kansas City Star Jan 27, 2006 4/4

You won't find ensemble acting much better or writing more incisive than that in Nine Lives ...

Go to Full Review

Kimberley Jones Austin Chronicle Jan 8, 2006 3.5/5

Certain characters and their particular pains become so engrossing in their 10-minute bits that it's sad to see them go.

Go to Full Review

Jeff Vice Deseret News (Salt Lake City) Jan 7, 2006 2.5/4

What saves Nine Lives is a first-rate cast, which includes Oscar-winning actresses Sissy Spacek and Holly Hunter.

Go to Full Review

Daniel Fienberg Zap2it.com Dec 31, 2005 2/4

It's unclear why Garcia continues to choose to limit himself to these diluted portraits, rather than the layered and textured worlds that his writing and directing hint at.

Go to Full Review

Nathan Rabin AV Club Dec 31, 2005

If only every women's movie had Nine Lives' fire, intelligence, and conviction, they wouldn't have such a shaky reputation in the first place.

Go to Full Review

Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com Dec 31, 2005 3/4

But when a piece works, like Penn's, Garcia's film soars, the over-theatricality of the artifice forgotten amidst the brilliance showcased by the actors onscreen.

Go to Full Review