Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed Apr 29, 2009

This is a fascinating and heartbreaking glimpse into poverty under the Catholic Church's tight grip...

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Steven Snyder Zertinet Movies Oct 1, 2005 3.5/4

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Harry Guerin RTÉ (Ireland) Mar 26, 2003 3/5

Better suited to the intimacy of television than a cinema outing.

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Kimberley Jones Austin Chronicle Mar 10, 2003 3/5

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Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Feb 14, 2003 C

...its dramatic efforts are contrived and strain credibility.

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Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune Nov 6, 2002 2/4

Liam is largely devoid of emotion. He's a detached, distanced observer, and it's hard for the viewer not to feel the same way.

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Matthew Turner ViewLondon Oct 30, 2002 3/5

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Jean Lowerison San Diego Metropolitan Oct 21, 2002

It is an ugly story with the ring of truth, and could hardly be more timely.

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Margaret A. McGurk Cincinnati Enquirer Oct 15, 2002 3.5/4

A dark, disturbing and vivid portrait of how the toxic fuels of poverty and powerlessness are transmuted into violent religious and ethnic hatred.

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Scott Weinberg Apollo Guide May 9, 2002 82/100

Stumbles a bit with a muddled final act, but it's not enough to mar this generally fine film.

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Christopher Null Filmcritic.com Apr 4, 2002 3.5/5

Frears has put enough heart into the movie to overcome its limitations.

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Ted Murphy Baseline.Hollywood.com Dec 21, 2001 4.5/5

Frears approaches the material in a humanistic and gentle manner and coaxes astonishingly assured performances from his young actors as well as the more veteran players.

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Jules Brenner Cinema Signals Nov 27, 2001 3/4

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Robert W. Butler Kansas City Star Nov 10, 2001

Despite the downbeat nature of the project, Frears delivers moments of surprising humor, tenderness and even hope.

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Claire Bickley Jam! Movies Nov 3, 2001 3/5

Overwhelmed by personal agenda, and a religious one at that.

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Jeff Vice Deseret News (Salt Lake City) Nov 2, 2001

As downbeat as some of Loach's movies are, they never sink to such overwrought, melodramatic depths or rely on as many unbelievable plot contrivances as does Liam.

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Adam Nayman eye WEEKLY Oct 29, 2001 4/5

An emotional investment well worth making -- the vision Frears creates is hard, but, even at its bleakest, recognizably human.

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Joe Baltake Sacramento Bee Oct 28, 2001

The harshness of his movie is affecting, never completely demoralizing.

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Jim Lane Sacramento News & Review Oct 22, 2001 3/5

Within the shopworn limits of McGovern's script, Frears and his actors make the most of things.

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Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice Oct 13, 2001

A convincing drama about how the open-heartedness of an eight-year-old boy is dashed by the world-hating dogma of the church and the stranger-hating prejudice of his father.

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