54
Metascore
7 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 70Village VoiceVillage VoiceFor the most part, A Short History of Decay triumphs over its pretensions.
- 70New York Magazine (Vulture)David EdelsteinNew York Magazine (Vulture)David EdelsteinNot a lot happens, and yet, as in the best so-called “slice of life” stories, you feel one way of life ending and another struggling to be born. The little that happens is enough.
- 63New York PostKyle SmithNew York PostKyle SmithRookie filmmaker Michael Maren’s script isn’t deep, but it’s heartfelt without being sticky, suggesting that the best way to deal with aging parents is to savor every tender frustration while you can.
- 60The New York TimesNicolas RapoldThe New York TimesNicolas RapoldDespite Mr. Maren’s own ample experience as a writer, the references to book culture don’t feel vivid enough to act as more than scene-setting, and the film’s strength lies in the family relationships.
- 60The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckThe Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckAlthough more than a little meandering and self-indulgent, the film is likeable nonetheless thanks to its incisive characterizations and canny capturing of true-life moments.
- 40New York Daily NewsElizabeth WeitzmanNew York Daily NewsElizabeth WeitzmanNathan’s neurotic self-indulgence strains our patience.
- 10The DissolveDavid EhrlichThe DissolveDavid EhrlichA stagnant portrait of the degradation that envelops those fortunate enough to live so long, the film desperately tries to mine sweetness from the banality of life’s endgame, but the falseness of its bittersweet storytelling only accentuates the misery.