Though most of what is going on outside of her central story is only okay, when it concentrates on Sandra it is really good.

There is so much life and emotion, in both the words and the acting, that the staging seldom feels limited.

This isn’t merely a spin on a genre; it is a thoughtful character study that subtly tackles womanhood, motherhood and race.

Its production, structure and performances are all fantastic, making for an entertainment as alive as the classic that inspired it.

The story itself would’ve sufficed, but there’s too much hand-holding in Sorkin’s screenplay to let viewers come to our own conclusions.

A funny and charming character study about a writer's artistic struggle.

When it steps away from its plot, focusing instead on the issues the characters face, and on its lead performance, it is captivating.

It bites into some thick themes, never shying from their consequences. The positives outweighed the negatives, but this is not an easy watch

The key with this kind of movie is getting the viewer to like the leads. I definitely did.

It is challenging, thought-provoking and frustrating, but always compelling. This is one of the best movies of the year.