Elizabethtown | Rotten Tomatoes

Elizabethtown

PG-13

Released Oct 14, 2005

2 hr. 3 min.

Comedy

Drama

Romance

TRAILER

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List

28%

176 Reviews

Tomatometer

66%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Aspiring young shoe designer Drew Baylor (Orlando Bloom) gets fired from his high-profile job after the failure of his latest project. To make matters worse, his girlfriend, Ellen (Jessica Biel), leaves him, and he becomes suicidal. Drew's morbid plans are interrupted by the news of his father's death, and he is called back to his Kentucky hometown. On his flight home, he meets the lovely Claire (Kirsten Dunst), a sunny flight attendant who tries to help him embrace life once again.

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Critics Consensus

This story of a floundering shoe designer who returns home for a family tragedy gets lost in undeveloped plot lines and lackluster performances.

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Test T

I watched this on DVD recently. The critics don't like it much, but I think it's fantastic. It's not about shoes, suicide or funerals. It's all about a chance love story between two very different people who meet on a plane. Kirsten Dunst playing Claire is the real star of this show. She has so much personality, you believe that anything is possible when she is on screen. Orlando Bloom's Drew is just running alongside Claire trying to keep up and find himself after his career failed. The chemistry between Claire and Drew is unpredictable and fun to watch. The cinematography is excellent with some pretty set piece scenes set to some great music. It's very insightful at times with intelligent observational narrative sprinkled around the plot to keep the viewer thinking. The supporting cast is great too, with lots of interesting characters and sub-plots to enjoy. It also has a nice happy ending. Highly recommended.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/24

Full Review

Amy H

One of my top 3 favorite movies. I was 20 years when it came out. It doesn't follow the typical movie rhythm, not the typical romcom. I laugh, I cry, I watch it over and over. I'd rate higher than 5 stars if I could. After my dad passed away in 2010 the movie brought on a whole another level of meaning.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/29/23

Full Review

Susan D

One of my favorite movies. It is my go-to rewatch!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/20/23

Full Review

Brian M

I love this film. Funny, quirky, charming and very romantic. Great performances by Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst. The critics have been far too harsh with their reviews. If you are looking for a feel good film, give it a go.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/28/23

Full Review

Jesse H

The biggest waste of a Friday evening. This movie has the worst plot line of any movie in my recent viewing history. The acting isn't the problem, it's the story. The ending that should happen about 20 minutes before it does. Don't bother.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/27/23

Full Review

Jace E

I am an unapologetic Claire stan. I think that if you take out Kirsten Dunst's performance, this movie is not half as good. From the empty plane to the phone call and ultimately, the cross-country map, her character is just full of life. There are quite a few "and then" moments throughout the movie, which make the plot go a bit stale. It was as if the writer/director went on a road trip when he was young and wanted to cram all of it into a movie. While the stuff that happened on that road trip were unique and funny, they don't really advance the plot forward. That being said, the small moments that work are strong. I love Drew's "I'm fine" reaction to everyone at the corporate office, his arrival to Elizabethtown and everything with the wedding weekend. Orlando Bloom's accent is a bit stiff, but that can be overlooked. In a strange way, this is a feel-good movie that is worth a re-watch every few years. Best Character: Claire Best Quote: " You wanna be really great? Then have the courage to fail big and stick around. Make them wonder why you're still smiling." - Claire Best Scene: The Phone Call (honorary mention to driving down main street of Elizabethtown)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/11/23

Full Review

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Cameron Crowe

Director

Orlando Bloom

Drew Baylor

Kirsten Dunst

Claire Colburn

Susan Sarandon

Hollie Baylor

Judy Greer

Heather Baylor

Jessica Biel

Ellen

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Elizabethtown: Official Clip - Nobody's Substitute

2:08

Elizabethtown: Official Clip - You Failed

1:45

Elizabethtown: Official Clip - Then I Felt Something Else

1:16

Elizabethtown: Official Clip - See the Sunrise

2:13

Elizabethtown: Official Clip - Last Goodbye

0:28

Elizabethtown: Official Clip - What "They" Say

1:35

Elizabethtown: Official Clip - Son of a Mitch

1:28

Elizabethtown: Official Clip - Billion-Dollar Failure

1:55

Elizabethtown: Official Clip - Three-Way Call

1:54

Elizabethtown: Official Clip - Opening For Skynyrd

1:15

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Elizabethtown: Trailer 1

2:48

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Elizabethtown [is] a tone-deaf, miscast and interminable romantic comedy from the usually beguiling Cameron Crowe.

Mar 14, 2018

Full Review

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

The hero's nuclear family and kooky rural relatives are so sketchily conceived that none of the intended comedy works, and the balance of the movie is given over to one of Crowe's sugary romances.

Apr 22, 2008

Full Review

Christy Lemire

Associated Press

So curious, and such a disappointment.

Apr 22, 2008

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The overriding feeling is that Crowe simply wanted to impress audiences with cuts from his personal music collection.

Rated: 2/4

Feb 12, 2021

Full Review

Christopher Lloyd

The Film Yap

The much-derided tragicomedy/romance sunk several careers, but it hums with its own quirky, never-may-care sense of authenticity.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 8, 2021

Full Review

Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

Crowe has a very talented cast at his disposal and, for the most part, uses them wisely.

Rated: B+

Nov 19, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

Aspiring young shoe designer Drew Baylor (Orlando Bloom) gets fired from his high-profile job after the failure of his latest project. To make matters worse, his girlfriend, Ellen (Jessica Biel), leaves him, and he becomes suicidal. Drew's morbid plans are interrupted by the news of his father's death, and he is called back to his Kentucky hometown. On his flight home, he meets the lovely Claire (Kirsten Dunst), a sunny flight attendant who tries to help him embrace life once again.

Director: Cameron Crowe
Screenwriter: Cameron Crowe
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: CW Productions, Vinyl Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sexual References|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 14, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $26.8M
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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