Most critics find Peggy Sue Got Married a warm, bittersweet comedy whose pleasures go beyond its nostalgic premise. Praise centres on Kathleen Turner’s ability to suggest both teenage awkwardness and adult experience, giving the second-chance fantasy emotional weight. The reviews also value the humour and regret that come from revisiting youthful decisions. Several single out the supporting performances, while the more enthusiastic responses find unexpected depth in the film’s treatment of love, family and the past.
Reservations cluster around looseness and coherence, with some reviews finding the handling of the premise sloppy. Comparisons with Back to the Future draw attention to its less slick approach, though this rarely prevents a favourable verdict. The New York Times is the clearest dissenter, enjoying Turner’s comedy but finding the film less coherent and personal than expected from Coppola. The spread runs from qualified approval to considerable affection, with no outright rejection.