Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal Jun 22, 2024 2.5/5

Perilously light on drama and overly reliant on kooky comic mugging from Renée Zellweger, "One True Thing" is a film that is at least briefly enlivened by Meryl Streep before collapsing under the weight of its bizarre quasi-mystery framework.

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media Dec 26, 2010 4/5

Probably won't appeal to teens.

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Tom Meek Film Threat Dec 6, 2005 3/5

There's a lot of Oscar timber here...

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Robin Clifford Reeling Reviews Apr 9, 2005 B

Streep, Zellweger, and Hurt are outstanding.

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James Sanford Kalamazoo Gazette Jun 4, 2003

the movie ultimately belongs to Streep, who illuminates the extraordinary soul inside an everyday woman.

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Eugene Novikov Film Blather May 22, 2003 B+

One of those rare films -- a movie that is genuinely sad and moving without being melodramatic, sentimental or hokey.

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John R. McEwen Film Quips Online Feb 8, 2003 4.5/5

Streep's performance will probably secure her another Oscar nomination.

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James Rocchi Netflix Nov 7, 2002 4/5

As finely wrought a drama as one could ask for.

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

Brings extraordinary honesty and keen emotional pitch to the family drama.

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Rick Groen Globe and Mail Apr 12, 2002 3/4

A well-oiled machine manufactured to tap our welled-up ducts.

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Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice Mar 3, 2002

A heart-affecting film that challenges us to confront some of the myths and meanings we have constructed about our parents.

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Peter Travers Rolling Stone May 11, 2001

Even director Carl Franklin...can't prevent One True Thing from descending into chick-movie hell.

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James Kendrick Q Network Film Desk Feb 27, 2001 3/4

Instead of being just about coping with cancer, it tells an interesting story about a young woman coming to terms with the fact that her parents are not who she always thought they were.

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Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times Feb 14, 2001

One True Thing demonstrates that the power of simple things, the transcendent nature of the ordinary, can make for riveting filmmaking.

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Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope Jan 1, 2001 8/10

The film is helped, by wonderful performances by two of the top talents in the business in Streep and Hurt, and Zellweger stays right with them.

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Harvey S. Karten Compuserve Jan 1, 2000 7/10

We're here for the acting, and we get it.

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Steve Rhodes Internet Reviews Jan 1, 2000 3.5/4

In a time when most movie families are hopelessly dysfunctional, it is refreshing to see one that doesn't quite fit the mold.

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Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com Jan 1, 2000 3/4

Zellweger and especially Streep both bring their roles to vivid life with a multi-dimensional blend of warmth, vulnerability, and underlying strength.

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Madeleine Williams Cinematter Jan 1, 2000 2.5/4

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Susan Granger rec.arts.movies.reviews Jan 1, 2000 8/10

Renee Zellweger, in particular, is captivating; she is irresistible as an actress, while Meryl Streep is luminous, perceptive, and courageous.

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