69
Metascore
16 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80Los Angeles TimesKevin ThomasLos Angeles TimesKevin ThomasThe way I Went Down, with its lovely score, plays out under Breathnach's gentle, compassionate touch becomes wryly amusing, ironic and entirely satisfying. Its cast is a glory, adept at setting off a sly humor with a touch of pathos, and it brings to the fore Brendan Gleeson, so good in so many supporting parts, as a seriocomic powerhouse in the central role. [1 July 1998, p.F4]
- 78Austin ChronicleMarjorie BaumgartenAustin ChronicleMarjorie BaumgartenI Went Down is a small, unexpected treat that promises full satisfaction.
- 75Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertChicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertI Went Down is a crime movie in which the dialogue is a great deal more important than anything else. It takes the form of a road movie and the materials of gangster movies (do real gangsters learn how to act by watching movies?), but what happens is beside the point. It's what they say while it's happening that makes the movie so entertaining.
- 75San Francisco ChroniclePeter StackSan Francisco ChroniclePeter StackDirector Breathnach is in no hurry to pump up the action in this easygoing, episodic on-the-road adventure, and the slow pace may wear thin for some viewers. More than anything, I Went Down is a cleverly observed character study of two losers who find they suddenly stand a chance at winning.
- 75St. Louis Post-DispatchSt. Louis Post-DispatchThe accents are thick, but if you listen closely you'll be well rewarded with smart, wry humor, peculiar but likable characters and a story that while slow in spots is altogether intriguing. [1 July 1989, p.E6]
- 75The Globe and Mail (Toronto)The Globe and Mail (Toronto)I Went Down is also a showcase for the directorial talents of Breadnach, who frames the actors and the action with polish and assurance against an unpretty Irish landscape rarely seen in the movies. If you liked Trainspotting and are looking for a quick and dirty cinematic romp, this is just the ticket. [24 July 1998, p.C5]
- 70The New York TimesJanet MaslinThe New York TimesJanet MaslinI Went Down owes much of its novelty to steering clear of Irish movie stereotypes and instead showing off a spare and quizzical indie spirit.
- 67Charlotte ObserverLawrence ToppmanCharlotte ObserverLawrence ToppmanIt's got a satisfyingly brisk rhythm and two appealing performances by Brendan Gleeson and Peter MacDonald as good-natured ex-cons. But despite the brogues of their bosses, the tough-guy atmosphere is pleasantly old-hat. [10 July 1998, p.12E]
- 60VarietyDerek ElleyVarietyDerek ElleyThough McDonald and Gleeson pair off well as the unlikely fellow travelers, and have some funny moments of physical shtick, the picture mostly springs to life when either Caffrey, as Grogan, or the excellent Doyle, as French, are onscreen.