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Puzzle

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2:08

Puzzle

R

Released Jul 27, 2018

1h 43m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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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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

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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

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Marc Turtletaub

Director

Kelly Macdonald

Agnes

Irrfan Khan

Robert

David Denman

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Puzzle: Trailer 1

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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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