urgent but disjointed; Starring James Norton and Vanessa Kirby, Agnieszka Holland's biopic about the journalist who exposed Stalin is a mostly scattershot mess
presented in the inescapable grey-brown color grading of such period confections, it is a worthwhile, at times exciting, and ultimately informative effort if perhaps not a great one
James Norton is a captivating presence onscreen who manages to do the big emotional moments & the tiny charming bits with equal skill; "Mr. Jones" is a harsh, masterful film about being wary of the lies being fed to you by your media and your government
it's a fairly conventional biopic, albeit one with strong pacing and odd tonal choices; the humanity of its central performance and unsparing, unmelodramatic examination of corruption and a long, lonely fight to expose it anchors a compelling narrative
an admirably intentioned but wildly uneven movie; the riveting core story is bookended by anesthetizing bloat, in a densely cluttered treatment by first-time screenwriter Andrea Chalupa that simply doesn't know when to make a point and move on
Agnieszka Holland's powerful drama; it's a bold and heartfelt movie; She has a real story to tell – a story that isn't told enough – and a single, compelling and likable character with which to tell it. It's a picture with sinew and strength
Agnieszka Holland's latest film is by no means a successful creative endeavour, implicated by a meandering narrative and weak characterisation, but by reminding us of that great lesson, "Mr. Jones" is an urgent one
Agnieszka Holland does a fine job of capturing the horrors he unearths, and the script repeatedly swerves sentiment. The film is stodgy in places, but its heart and its eyes are in the right place
by Emma Jones [BBC ]
