Smashed tells a familiar story with subtle simplicity, never beating the audience over the head with its themes or ideas.

| Original Score: 3/4 | May 16, 2022

This may be Winstead's show, but Ponsoldt displays a remarkable restraint that demonstrates a keen directorial instinct.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 6, 2019

There's nothing completely astonishing or shocking that goes on in Smashed, but that's not to say it isn't captivating and completely worth your time.

| Aug 5, 2019

Smashed is wall-to-wall good intentions from the moment Kate decides to go to a meeting.

| Jan 3, 2019

While writer/director James Ponsoldt's screenplay tends to saunter along at times as it seeps further into starkness, Winstead and Paul's performances will keep you engaged until the end.

| Original Score: B | Sep 7, 2017

While Smashed doesn't flinch away from some grim realities of alcoholism, it's not an unrelentingly grim kitchen-sink drama; there are attempts at a bit of black comedy.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 1, 2017

Ponsoldt keeps up a good pace and refuses to let the material get too heavy. He focuses on the characters and their slip ups, jokes, frustrations, and all the imperfections that make up a person.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 10, 2014

Winstead is immense in this picture, a true force of nature who embodies so many complexities and demons that make her this perpetually broken protagonist...

| Jul 22, 2013

The only ingredient that renders it remotely unique is an Oscar-caliber performance from Mary Elizabeth Winstead as the proverbial drunk with a heart - and liver - of Johnnie Walker Gold.

| Original Score: B- | May 13, 2013

Smashed is a non-judgmental snapshot of the small world surrounding this couple, and is filled with insightful moments and really great low-key performances.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 15, 2013

Full Review | Original Score: B | Feb 28, 2013

In under eighty minutes, Smashed succeeds in so many ways.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Feb 3, 2013

Mary Elizabeth Winstead comes into her own in this lightly directed and disarmingly enjoyable film, which delivers its message without the aid of a soapbox.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 1, 2013

Winstead is a revelation as a young married school teacher determined to overcome alcoholism in this gritty film clearly made by folks who've been there.

| Original Score: B+ | Jan 8, 2013

For what it sets out to achieve and the amount it chooses to portray, Smashed does a solid job - made all the more notable thanks to Winstead.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Dec 20, 2012

Despite taking a full-on approach to the issue of alcoholism, filmmaker Ponsoldt undermines his own case by telling a story about the problem itself rather than the people caught up in it.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Dec 19, 2012

Has an outstanding central performance from Winstead that demonstrates Kate's emotional and intellectual understanding of the complexities of alcoholism.

| Dec 16, 2012

Smashed is a smart, sensitive and appropriately uncomfortable watch, offering an unrelentingly clear-eyed view of dependence, both emotional and substance-based.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 15, 2012

[I]t's Winstead who is the real wonder... with an artless authenticity that is at once heartbreaking and heartening.

| Dec 14, 2012

A film that's good on general atmosphere, totally sincere and not too sentimental.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 14, 2012