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Puzzle

Play trailer 2:08 Poster for Puzzle R Released Jul 27, 2018 1h 43m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 133 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
A woman who has a talent for assembling jigsaw puzzles sneaks away from her suburban town and goes to New York City, where she partners with a man for a puzzle tournament in Atlantic City. As she experiences independence for the first time, she begins to view her value and the pieces of her own life in a whole new light.
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Puzzle

Puzzle

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Critics Consensus

Puzzle transcends its quirky premise with honest emotion -- and Kelly Macdonald, whose nicely understated performance proves she's too often underutilized.

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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader In case you were wondering, the jigsaw puzzles are a metaphor for the wife's identity. Mar 20, 2020 Full Review Donald Clarke Irish Times Always strong in supporting roles, Macdonald achieves her own mid-career breakthrough with a fascinatingly complex lead performance that pitches natural inhibition against a growing inner confidence. Rated: 4/5 Sep 18, 2018 Full Review Tim Robey Daily Telegraph (UK) What's to dislike here? Hardly anything - it's finding things actively to like that poses more of a problem. Rated: 2/5 Sep 6, 2018 Full Review Nyle Coleman InSession Film Puzzle is too messy and patchy in its storytelling to recommend. Rated: C- May 9, 2024 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review This performance, arguably the best in Macdonald's career, is masterful and elevates the modest pleasures of the film. Rated: 3/4 Mar 11, 2022 Full Review Fletcher Powell KMUW - Wichita Public Radio The movie takes a few shortcuts that make for some abrupt plot points, but it hardly matters given Macdonald's performance. Feb 9, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Joel D Great acting. Mediocre to bad storyline. Melancholic souless selfish ending that pokes a jibe at sacrifices of father/mother hood. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 12/01/24 Full Review Kevin L Kelly McDonald is criminally underappreciated and under-employed. She's a fantastic actress. Irrfan Khan gives a fine performance as well in this smart, well-directed movie. 3.3 stars Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/21/23 Full Review A.L.Jude P A treat to watch, but ended having a big hole in the script. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/25/23 Full Review Storm W Outstanding movie about life. No car chases. No computerization. No woke agenda. No nudity. No violence. Nothing gets blown up. The acting is superb, and the story is one most adults have witnessed...or been involved in. Where has this movie been hiding? Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/18/23 Full Review isla s This is quite a, what I'd call, subtle film. Its a good drama, somewhat thoughtful. I liked that it offers an insight into the main characters perspective. I can imagine doing puzzles regularly is a good way to immerse yourself in another 'world' metaphorically speaking, if you find what you personally enjoy. I respect the main character, her determination to keep doing what she enjoys, regardless of her families opinions, once they learn about it - Good for her!. Its a pleasant and enjoyable watch, one I'd recommend, yes. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review dave s It's probably safe to say that Puzzle is the best movie about jigsaw puzzles that you're likely to come across. Agnes (Kelly MacDonald) is a housewife seemingly content to tend to the needs of the men in her life. However, when she discovers her talent for puzzling, the pieces of her life begin to fall into place, much to the chagrin of those in her family. Other than the blatantly obvious metaphor of the jigsaw puzzles representing Agnes' life, Puzzle is an effectively subtle film filled with impactful scenes that let the viewer do the thinking, including the powerful birthday scene that opens the movie. MacDonald, possibly the most underrated actress working today, steals the show with what may be the best performance of her career, a sensitive but powerful portrayal of a woman in search of meaning in her life. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Puzzle

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Cast & Crew

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Marc Turtletaub

Director

Kelly Macdonald

Agnes

Irrfan Khan

Robert

David Denman

Louie

Bubba Weiler

Ziggy

Austin Abrams

Gabe

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Puzzle

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Puzzle

A scene from "Puzzle." A scene from "Puzzle." Puzzle (2018) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A woman who has a talent for assembling jigsaw puzzles sneaks away from her suburban town and goes to New York City, where she partners with a man for a puzzle tournament in Atlantic City. As she experiences independence for the first time, she begins to view her value and the pieces of her own life in a whole new light.
Director
Marc Turtletaub
Producer
Wren Arthur, Marc Turtletaub, Guy Stodel, Peter Saraf
Screenwriter
Polly Mann, Oren Moverman
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Big Beach, Olive Productions
Rating
R (Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 27, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 13, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.0M
Runtime
1h 43m
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