Touching yet hard-nosed, the film rises to a whole other level thanks to Gorintin's unforgettable performance.

| Jun 5, 2021

Bertuccelli tackles Since Otar Left... with the kind of ambitious imagination that makes one marvel at a natural filmmaker's unexpected and original choices.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Nov 12, 2004

This emotionally rich situation is played for all its worth by the entire cast, but the standout is Gorintin.

Full Review | Original Score: B+ | Aug 19, 2004

It is a film that understands women, but more importantly, understands life.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 6, 2004

Otar and Lenin make terrific bookends on the post-communist experience for average citizens.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Aug 6, 2004

Whatever film acting is about -- technique, presence or truth-telling -- [Esther Gorintin] got it.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 6, 2004

Since Otar Left tells a story of conventional melodrama, and makes it extraordinary because of the acting.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 25, 2004

A film, in which fictional characters become human by talking as real people really talk.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jun 24, 2004

A moving family drama.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 11, 2004

Director Julie Bertucelli's film works so well because of its adherence to the basics of good writing and strong acting.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 4, 2004

A story full of gentle grace notes and keen-eyed observation, writer-director Julie Bertuccelli's first feature is at turns funny, sweet, sad, trenchant and telling.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Jun 3, 2004

Wonderful family drama.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | May 28, 2004

Although the premise is rather obvious, and at times a little too full of its own whimsy, the portrayal of the women is very incisive.

| Original Score: 3/5 | May 25, 2004

Since Otar Left could have played to broad comedy. Or it could have played to tearjerker sentimentality.

| Original Score: 3/4 | May 21, 2004

It makes its points quietly, with sorrow and humor and a rich palette of human emotions that transcend language and culture and nationality.

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 14, 2004

A small film of surpassing beauty and sadness.

| May 14, 2004

It's a wonderful film with a love of intimacy, an eye for potent small moments that can go by unobserved and a willingness to explore the emotional complications of family relationships.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | May 13, 2004

The kind of small film ... that expands our understanding of the emotional economy of family life, with its ebb and flow of love and hostility, secrecy and egregious candor.

Full Review | May 12, 2004

The mulish and loving maternal sway of Eta is felt in every one of the film's lovingly articulated frames, thanks to the magnificently expressive performance of the 90-year-old Gorintin.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Apr 30, 2004

All three actresses are wonderful, but the picture belongs to the commanding Gorintin.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 30, 2004