This once might have been a bluesy, bitter movie about love’s ephemeral pains and bliss. What it is now is a by-the-numbers opposites-attract romance in which every dramatic beat and life lesson comes on schedule.

| Original Score: C | Sep 19, 2022

| Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 7, 2008

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 8, 2005

It's a shame that more care wasn't taken in the handling of the characters or the multiple plot threads.

| Original Score: 1/4 | Sep 2, 2004

| Original Score: 1/5 | May 10, 2004

Goes down smoothly thanks to the trio of lead actors, whose enthusiasm and chemistry help make up for the routine filmmaking.

Full Review | Mar 31, 2004

Plugs New Bedford into the ethnic romantic comedy formula, and the results are, well, formulaic.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Feb 2, 2004

The romance in Passionada is appealing enough, but the movie's real strengths are Rossum, whose wide eyes and easy laugh may remind you of Julia Roberts, its surprising characters and the stunning coastal setting.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Oct 24, 2003

This slight and pleasantly predictable film coasts along on the considerable charms of its cast and exotic setting.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Sep 12, 2003

There are movies that are made for the big screen, and movies that are made for the small screen; Passionada is the latter type.

| Original Score: D+ | Sep 12, 2003

Despite its porn-movie title, this predictable and uninspired romantic drama fizzles like a wet squib.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | Sep 12, 2003

Passionada is not as passionate as you may suspect. It's just a tender story about how opposites attract, and how much the nation is opening toward those who are different.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Sep 12, 2003

Passionada is a beguiling love story about two middle-agers who must set aside their loyalties to the past in order to forge a meaningful future together.

| Sep 12, 2003

A feel-good romantic comedy without a shred of credibility.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Sep 11, 2003

While the situations don't add up to a satisfying film, the characters are pleasing to watch.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Sep 11, 2003

The clash between Ireland's art house aspirations and the obviousness of his choices ... is grating.

| Sep 9, 2003

A warm, sincere love story especially suitable as a date movie for people in their 30s and 40s.

| Original Score: B | Sep 8, 2003

Top heavy on charm and sentimentality.

| Original Score: C | Sep 5, 2003

It is directed (by Dan Ireland) at such a lethargic pace that you won't really care whether poor Celia gets her groove back or not.

| Aug 30, 2003

Some of it is pedestrian, much is predictable.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Aug 29, 2003