The Shipping News

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The Shipping News

R

Released Jan 11, 2002

1h 51m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

53%

Tomatometer

129 Reviews

61%

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10,000+ Ratings

Traces one man's extraordinary journey toward self -discovery when he returns to his ancestral home on the coast of Newfoundland. After the death of his estranged wife, Quoyle's fortunes begin to change when his long-lost aunt convinces him and his daughter to head north. Now, in a place where life is as rough as the weather and secrets are as vast as the ocean, Quoyle lands a job as a reporter for the local paper. In the course of his new career he uncovers some dark family secrets.

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Critics Consensus

Though solidly made and acted, The Shipping News is rather heavy-handed and dull, especially given the nature of its protagonist.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Not really meant for kids and teens.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 29, 2010

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Andrew Sarris

Observer

I am baffled by all the negativity surrounding it, and I am prepared to designate it as the most underrated film of 2001.

Mar 13, 2002

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Nev Pierce

BBC.com

Just as staple foods can sometimes be enjoyable, so this easy-to-digest, gently amusing drama is a pleasant way to fritter away a couple of hours.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 17, 2002

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Felicia Feaster

Creative Loafing

But despite sensitivity to the myriad ways personal history shapes us, the film often feels as emotionally constrained and rigid as the Quoyle house lashed to the hill.

Jan 29, 2020

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John Powers

L.A. Weekly

Spacey is terrific at playing monsters... As Quoyle stumbles through the Newfoundland scenery with a look of dumb, wounded decency that's as annoying as it is unpersuasive, his eyes let us know that he's smarter than the guy he's playing.

May 17, 2018

Full Review

Brent Simon

Shared Darkness

You can envision the attractively packaged DVD or Blu-ray sell-through collection now: 'Lasse Hallstrom's Baldly Oscar-Baiting Literary Adaptations. Buy it today!'

Rated: D

May 15, 2012

Full Review

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Audience Member

Great little atmospheric ,slice of life,movie. All actors were excellent,especially Kevin Spacey with is touchable sensitivity.Slow well acted film with Newfoundland as its background with its dark tempetuous nature. It reminded me how very beautifull that part of the world and its people ,are. Loved it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/25/25

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Richard R

This film is magnificent. One of the greatest movies ever made. Those who fail to appreciate the genius of it simply do not understand humanity.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/24

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X O

I remember the book in the 90s. 35 years later I am watching the film. It can ruin it for you ... Spacey can't play dumb even if he tried. Blame it on Se7en, The Usual Suspects, and American Beauty, but he's not even even floundering or that gawky like he is playing someone who is dimwitted. Not the right speech syntax. Also, who fixes ropes WITHOUT GLOVES IN WINTER!? Also walking into an abandoned house without a chill? And the musical score is vapid. What the film grossly lacks is how Annie Proulx writes. Short sentences. Full stops. So hard to pull off, and she does. The film can't show this. She is giving the SOUND of living in bitterly cold weather. So impressive. Read the book. Forget the film.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

06/11/23

Full Review

Obviously I am wired differently than most people, because I find it a very good movie. First of all the music is gorgeous and so well integrated in the film that it is almost part of the images. Casting is spot on. Acting could not have been better. Scenario is refreshingly out of the ordinary. Cinematography is unsurpassed.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/03/23

Full Review

dave s

While it tends to take some minor liberties with Annie Proulx' novel, Lasse Hallstrom's The Shipping News is certainly faithful in spirit to the source material. With his world falling apart in upstate New York, Quayle (Kevin Spacey) escapes to a small fishing village in Newfoundland, where he is able to touch base with his fragile roots and learn the meanings of friendship and family. The whole thing feels insanely predictable throughout as it becomes evident early on that Quayle, a simpering doormat from the start, will find his true calling (and maybe even love) in the harsh new environment. Despite this, it's got a fantastic cast (Julianne Moore, Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett and more), stunning cinematography that captures the rugged landscape, and a subtle but effective score.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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colin m

This was okay. A bit bland.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Lasse Hallström

Director

Kevin Spacey

Quoyle

Julianne Moore

Wavey Prowse

Judi Dench

Agnis Hamm

Cate Blanchett

Betal Bear

Pete Postlethwaite

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Synopsis

Traces one man's extraordinary journey toward self -discovery when he returns to his ancestral home on the coast of Newfoundland. After the death of his estranged wife, Quoyle's fortunes begin to change when his long-lost aunt convinces him and his daughter to head north. Now, in a place where life is as rough as the weather and secrets are as vast as the ocean, Quoyle lands a job as a reporter for the local paper. In the course of his new career he uncovers some dark family secrets.

Director: Lasse Hallström
Producer: Irwin Winkler, Linda Goldstein Knowlton, Leslie Holleran
Screenwriter: Robert Nelson Jacobs, E. Annie Proulx
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax Films
Rating: R (Sexuality|Disturbing Images|Some Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 11, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $11.4M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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