Despite its over-moralizing and trite narrative, the film’s sweetness and Noël Wells’ promise make Mr. Roosevelt a comedy worth spending 90 minutes with.

| Dec 6, 2023

Walking a dangerous tightrope between comedy and drama, the film holds its balance and finds a combination of the two that works on nearly every level.

| Feb 12, 2022

Mr. Roosevelt is an entertaining bit of auteur theater, giving us a glimpse at the potential Noël Wells has as a filmmaker.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Oct 1, 2020

From the characters to the situations they are placed in, Mr. Roosevelt updates just enough to separate itself from the pack.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 30, 2018

Wells limns an authentic portrait of a rapidly gentrifying city, down to the thirtysomething cohorts of loafers and tech yuppies who vie for the same turf.

| Sep 25, 2018

There is an articulation of existential conflict here that isn't typical of the films it may look like from a distance.

| Jan 19, 2018

Wells is a talent as a storyteller and as a director with a nice visual touch, and as a screen presence. Emily is wonderful. We like spending time with them. (Noel and Emily, I mean.)

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jan 5, 2018

What Noel Wells done here with Mr. Roosevelt is not just impressive as a filmmaker, but as a storyteller (and deliverer) she's completely portrayed...a generation.

| Jan 3, 2018

Mr. Roosevelt is indie filmmaking at its finest.

| Dec 31, 2017

After brief stints on "SNL" and "Master of None," Nol Wells has found her true calling - as a filmmaker.

| Dec 29, 2017

[Nol] Wells spirals out from there to capture a snapshot of contemporary life in post-slacker Austin that's both spot-on specific and universally relatable.

| Dec 19, 2017

Wells' first feature is a promising debut behind the camera.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Dec 13, 2017

... sharply observed, with an endearing quirky sense of humor and a genuine affection for its setting.

| Dec 1, 2017

Wells is more than just a great storyteller. She also has a fantastic cinematic eye, choosing to shoot on good old 35 mm. The warmth of celluloid is no less than a beautiful city like Austin deserves.

| Nov 30, 2017

This film might not blow you away, but it is unique, and it will make you laugh. And ultimately, that's all you really need from an indie comedy.

| Original Score: B | Nov 28, 2017

Mr. Roosevelt may be slight, but it's buoyed by Wells's self-deprecating humor.

| Nov 28, 2017

Wells makes a strong impression with "Mr. Roosevelt," showcasing smart observations, a love of cinema, and respect for the growing subgenre of people experiencing emotional meltdowns in Austin.

| Original Score: B+ | Nov 22, 2017

You will no doubt see better demonstrations of craft in other indie comedies this year, but they might not be quite as confident with themselves as this. It takes a certain special something to find levity in dead cats and Spaghetti-Os.

| Original Score: 7.2/10 | Nov 22, 2017

Ms. Wells is appealing onscreen and is a smart writer.

| Nov 21, 2017

Even the film's missteps - which are few and far between - only add to its lasting charm.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Nov 21, 2017