27
Metascore
8 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 70Los Angeles TimesKevin ThomasLos Angeles TimesKevin ThomasA provocative, witty -- and admittedly esoteric -- experimental comedy that is serious, amusing and satisfying, in Rosenbush's words: "a Zen riddle designed more to be experienced than understood rationally."
- 60Film ThreatMerle BertrandFilm ThreatMerle BertrandDirector Marc Rosenbush gets the absolute most he can out of his no-budget-friendly, minimalist location and a solid, if unremarkable cast.
- 50San Francisco ChronicleNeva ChoninSan Francisco ChronicleNeva ChoninThe biggest mystery of all is why director Marc Rosenbush, whose background is in theater, bothered putting this story on film when it's so obviously meant for a stage.
- 30L.A. WeeklyL.A. WeeklyAlong the way, Zen Noir commits a few crimes of its own, against noir, Buddhism and filmmaking.
- 30Chicago ReaderJ.R. JonesChicago ReaderJ.R. JonesThe cinematic debut of Chicago theater director Marc Rosenbush, this 2004 indie comedy is an irritating exercise in ham acting, metaphysical patter routines, and rim-shot-style comic editing.
- 25Seattle Post-IntelligencerBill WhiteSeattle Post-IntelligencerBill WhiteThe actors, all unprofessional with the exception of Kim Chan as the Zen master, step on each other's clipped lines so regularly that it becomes a stylistic affectation, like Mamet directing Beckett.
- 25Chicago TribuneMichael PhillipsChicago TribuneMichael PhillipsRosenbush strives for a difficult blend of spoof and sincerity with Zen Noir. In the spirit of rebirth, let's assume that the next time he makes it, it'll turn out fine.
- 11Austin ChronicleAustin ChronicleGreat movies can make you believe in a life beyond the frame; Zen Noir can't even convince you that what you're seeing onscreen is actually happening.