Most critics respond warmly to Gloria, with praise centred on Gena Rowlands as the tough former mob associate protecting a boy from the Mafia. The reviews repeatedly single out her force, physical assurance and emotional range, finding that she gives the chase story much of its character. Several also admire Cassavetes’ handling of New York’s atmosphere and the unlikely central pairing, while the opening montage and Bill Conti’s score attract praise.
The reservations concern how well the gangster plot accommodates Cassavetes’ interest in unruly emotions, with a fairly wide spread of enthusiasm despite the predominantly positive response. Slant Magazine finds the supporting performances and tonal mixture weaker than Rowlands, while The New York Times offers the clearest dissent, finding the film charming but lumpy and unconvincing. Collider is the most enthusiastic, celebrating Rowlands as an action heroine and Cassavetes’ feel for the city’s chaos.