--- title: "Let Them All Talk: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/let-them-all-talk/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/let-them-all-talk" critics_score: 63 critics_reviews: 11 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Let Them All Talk (2020): what the critics said Critics' score 63 from 11 reviews: 6 positive, 3 mixed, 2 negative. The reviews are broadly friendly and unusually spread out. Most critics enjoy Let Them All Talk as a relaxed, talky hangout picture, and the praise clusters on the ensemble, with Candice Bergen’s flinty, against-type turn singled out most often, followed by the improvised dialogue and the novelty of shooting aboard the Queen Mary 2. Several reviews call it warm, elegant and wryly observed about writers and old friendships. The reservations are just as consistent: loose plotting, underdeveloped subplots, a romance that goes nowhere, and a general sense that Soderbergh’s free-and-easy method leaves the drama unfinished. The dissenters go further. The New York Times finds the film colourless and short of energy, with stilted conversations and little chemistry, while IndieWire argues the seven-day shoot shows, and that the characters needed more time. Even admirers tend to describe it as a trifle, which is roughly where the consensus settles. ## Los Angeles Times — Robert Abele Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 9 December 2020. Soderbergh's loose, arty yet entertaining approach produces a satisfying bite of ego comedy and wise melancholy on the high seas. The result is refined, naturalistic, specific, enigmatic and funny. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-12-09/let-them-all-meryl-streep-steven-soderbergh) ## The AV Club — Mike D'Angelo Rating B-. 8 December 2020. The improvisational gamble mostly pays off in a playful, relaxed hangout film set on the Queen Mary 2, buoyed by strong ensemble work. The critic singles out Bergen’s fun, against-type performance as a highlight amid the random-feeling storylines. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/meryl-streep-improvises-on-the-ocean-in-steven-soderber-1845835158) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 4 December 2020. The film follows a distinguished novelist traveling by ship to accept a literary prize, accompanied by old friends and a secret agent. Lane highlights the premise and cast in this release review. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/12/14/meryl-streep-on-the-high-seas-in-let-them-all-talk) ## The Independent Rating 2.5/4. 9 December 2020. The critic finds the film clever and absorbing but ultimately a little unfinished and overly improvisational. They single out the glimpse it offers of life aboard a luxury ocean liner for particular interest. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/review-streep-invites-us-on-a-pleasing-meandering-ride-meryl-streep-steven-soderbergh-alice-fact-cunard-b1769044.html) ## IndieWire — David Ehrlich Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 3 December 2020. Shot in just seven days aboard the Queen Mary 2, Soderbergh’s latest feels rushed and messy despite the star power and improvisational approach. The critic notes it needed more time to develop its drama and characters. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/let-them-all-talk-review-steven-soderbergh-1234601900/) ## The New York Times — Maya Phillips Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 9 December 2020. The critic finds the comedy-drama colorless and lacking in energy, with the story snoozing through its punchline despite a strong cast. Stilted conversations fail to captivate, and the characters lack chemistry under Soderbergh's mannered direction. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/09/movies/let-them-all-talk-review-that-ship-has-sailed.html) ## Screen Daily 3 December 2020. The film is not wholly successful but offers a rewarding look at a filmmaker tackling a melancholy character study of ageing and friendship. It benefits from strong interplay among the three lead actresses and Soderbergh’s free-and-easy exploration of regrets. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/let-them-all-talk-review/5155371.article) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw 3 December 2020. The critic finds the film garrulous and elegant with strong performances and a theatrical screenplay, but loosely plotted and unfocused in its emotional centre. Soderbergh's ocean-liner setting and Streep's haughty performance are singled out amid the charm and dramatic finale. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/dec/03/let-them-all-talk-review-steven-soderbergh-meryl-streep-gemma-chan) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney 3 December 2020. Soderbergh matches Eisenberg’s screenplay in an ensemble piece enlivened by improvisation that recalls vintage Altman, delivering wry observations on relationships and writing. The critic singles out the ace cast—especially Bergen in divinely flinty form—and the technical jewel of shooting aboard the Queen Mary 2. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/let-them-all-talk-film-review-4099523/) ## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri 7 December 2020. Soderbergh’s cruise-ship hangout picture is a warm, enjoyable trifle with a personal edge about art and life. The critic praises the candid, eavesdropper-like conversations among the cast and the director’s facility with humor. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/review-let-them-all-talk-meryl-streep-on-the-queen-mary.html) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 3 December 2020. The critic calls it one of the bright lights of 2020’s movie year and highly sophisticated elegant filmmaking. They single out the sparkling improvised dialogue and the three stars’ performances, especially Bergen stealing the show. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/video/let-them-all-talk-review-meryl-streep-candice-bergen-dianne-wiest-sparkle-in-steven-soderbergh-queen-mary/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 December 2020. The critic praises the film as a witty exploration of relationships and the responsibility artists have to their muses, calling it “Wild Strawberries” for women of a certain age. They highlight the strong ensemble performances and the clever cruise-ship setting as an instant addition to great cruise ship movies. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/let-them-all-talk-film-review-meryl-streep-steven-soderbergh-hbo-max/) ## The Playlist — Robert Daniels Rating B. 5 December 2020. The critic calls it a return to form for Soderbergh, a jazzy freewheeling hangout movie enriched by an adroit ensemble cast. Shortcomings in the script include underdeveloped subplots and romance, but the third-act reveal stands out and the film ultimately finds a worthwhile story between friends. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/let-them-all-talk-soderbergh-review-20201205/) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating C. 3 December 2020. The critic finds the film an interesting but frustrating anti-drama that deliberately avoids direct conflict and confrontation, resulting in a lack of momentum. It singles out the strong ensemble cast and luxurious cruise ship setting for some praise while noting the film does not deliver expected payoffs. [Read the review](https://collider.com/let-them-all-talk-review-hbo-max/) ## Consequence Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 9 December 2020. The critic describes the results as inviting yet meandering like a structureless cruise, calling the film a bit too lackadaisical to rank among Soderbergh’s finer works but better than some of his 2019 output. It singles out the surprise twist ending for bringing focus and a testament to human frailties after mostly vibing with friends on a boat. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2020/12/meryl-streep-speaks-for-herself-in-steven-soderberghs-let-them-all-talk-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/let-them-all-talk.md