34
Metascore
14 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 60New York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierNew York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierThe Lifeguard is one of those deceptive movies that, to its credit, winds up being about more than just an easy-to-describe tagline. In this case, that line would be: “Woman goes back to hometown, sleeps with high school boy.”
- 50The DissolveMike D'AngeloThe DissolveMike D'AngeloBell is too inherently sympathetic to turn Leigh into a credibly flawed protagonist, and first-time writer-director Liz W. Garcia seems more interested in indulging the fantasy of the jailbait fling than in seriously interrogating her heroine’s psyche.
- 42The A.V. ClubIgnatiy VishnevetskyThe A.V. ClubIgnatiy VishnevetskyLike its lead character, The Lifeguard is stuck in a rut. After establishing Bell’s frustration within the first five minutes, the movie continually reiterates it.
- 30VarietyPeter DebrugeVarietyPeter DebrugeLambert brings a forlorn dimension to his seductive young role, but Bell never really convinces as the older woman. Despite flirting with controversy, the actress seems reluctant to plunge fully into potential unlikability, nor does the film quite give her the chance.
- 30The Hollywood ReporterJustin LoweThe Hollywood ReporterJustin LoweSurprisingly for a writer turned director, the most evident shortcomings with Garcia’s feature originate with the script. With barely any backstory to support them, the characters consistently appear to lack the motivations necessary for their actions.
- 27Film.comJordan HoffmanFilm.comJordan HoffmanThe Lifeguard is a painfully dull (alleged) drama utterly lacking in originality or self-awareness.
- 25Slant MagazineEd GonzalezSlant MagazineEd GonzalezThe film heroically stretches out its governing water metaphor to a point that allows it to best Garden State's Guinness World Record for most incessant navel-gazing.
- 20Time OutEric HynesTime OutEric HynesThis drama is as listless and self-regarding as its protagonist, flitting among underdeveloped characters and subplots and indulging in rote emo shots by the pool, yet never figuring out how to dive into the deep end.
- 20Village VoiceErnest HardyVillage VoiceErnest HardyFrom concept to execution to tone, writer-director Liz W. Garcia's The Lifeguard is a lifeless misfire.