The real ace in the hole is the astonishing screen chemistry between Watts and her next potential boyfriend, deliciously played by filmmaker Scott Coffey.

| May 7, 2020

This low-budget effort about a struggling, shallow L.A. actress who has nightmare auditions . . . stars a sensational Naomi Watts. But she's basically the only great thing in this highly uneven flick.

| Jun 14, 2018

No one doubts Naomi Watts is photogenic, but this effort is very hard to sit through. Nearly impossible.

| Original Score: D- | Sep 15, 2009

There's barely any redeeming features to note, including Watts who is just at her worst.

| Apr 29, 2009

Watts fans will, of course, want to see "Ellie Parker" regardless of what I or anyone else say about it.

| Original Score: B | Jul 30, 2007

Game for almost anything, Watts displays serious comic chops and is, as always, a delight to watch.

| Mar 1, 2007

| Original Score: 6/10 | Jul 22, 2006

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 14, 2006

Enjoyable comedy with several laugh-out-loud moments and a terrific performance from Naomi Watts.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 13, 2006

O que falta de estilo ao filme compensado por uma atuao corajosa, despojada e impressionante de Naomi Watts.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | May 3, 2006

If you're considering a move to L.A. to pursue an acting career, this is your Scared Straight.

Full Review | Original Score: B+ | Mar 24, 2006

Like a sputtering career, Ellie Parker pretty much goes nowhere, and it's difficult to imagine that it would be of interest to many beyond the Hollywood community.

Full Review | Original Score: C | Mar 15, 2006

...the stretch to feature length hasn't done the material any favors.

Full Review | Feb 21, 2006

There's no question that what makes "Ellie Parker" work is the continued presence of Naomi Watts, a great film actress whether her film's budget is $187,000 or $187 million.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Feb 9, 2006

Ellie isn't a particularly likable character, but thanks to Watts she's an imminently watchable one. In many ways this is a daring, unforgiving performance.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jan 13, 2006

The picture looks cheap and feels stretched.

Full Review | Original Score: C+ | Jan 5, 2006

Eventually the energy of the original short runs out and the movie coasts on fumes, but it remains surprisingly enjoyable for all that.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 17, 2005

| Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 17, 2005

The premise -- someone trying to inject meaning into a necessarily vacuous existence -- is depressing, but there are moments of vaguely uncomfortable hilarity. The whole endeavor, however, winds up feeling flat and a bit dull.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 15, 2005

This is the movie they should show in college acting classes, instead of tapes of Inside the Actors' Studio.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 15, 2005