KablueyMovie Reviews

Poster art for "Kabluey."

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Avg. Critic Score: 62 out of 100 Generally favorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
13 Iffy for 13+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 80
    The New York Times | Stephen Holden

    The film's distance from factual reality oddly enhances its bleak underlying vision. It portrays a demoralized American work force fearfully going through the motions of life while waiting without much hope for things to get better. Read full review

  • 75
    San Francisco Chronicle | Walter Addiego

    Eventually comes into its own as a wacky commentary on the state of America in the fifth year of the Iraq war. Read full review

  • 75
    The Onion A.V. Club | Nathan Rabin

    While the film's social-satire elements are flat and overly familiar, its dry absurdity is unmistakably Lynchian. Read full review

  • 75
    Portland Oregonian | Marc Mohan

    A mordant, almost-too-dark comedy, but a comedy nonetheless. Read full review

  • 70
    The Hollywood Reporter |

    The film is an ambitious mix of slapstick, black comedy and stinging social commentary. Read full review

  • 70
    Village Voice |

    Catches the nation's mood of economic anxiety and workplace exploitation more pungently than anything else in theaters. Read full review

  • 63
    New York Post | Lou Lumenick

    Strange and quirky. Read full review

  • 50
    Los Angeles Times |

    A dark piece of whimsy that enchants and befuddles in equal measure. Read full review

  • 50
    Variety | Dennis Harvey

    Kabluey is short on the cutes and ca-ca jokes. But it's also short on substance, despite a watchable supporting cast and an amiable overall tenor. Read full review

  • 30
    Austin Chronicle |

    Quirky and undisturbed, unaffected and unaffecting. Read full review

View more reviews for Kabluey on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 13+ Dramedy with mature themes is light on substance.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that although this movie features child actors, centers around a family with young children, and even has a costumed character that appeals to children, it's rife with mature themes like infidelity, failure, and abandonment. One young character seems particularly enraged and forlorn and exhibits his frustrations by hitting and throwing objects. There's drinking, lots of swearing, and some partial nudity (though it's not sexual in nature).
  • Families can talk about what the Kabluey represents. How does Salman change as he spends more time running around as Kabluey? Families can also discuss Salman's reason for helping out. Was it just because he was at a dead end? What does he gain from helping? At what point did his attitude change, and why? What about Leslie? Does she seem like a good parent? Why do you think she is the way she is? What does she think about Salman when he first arrives, and how does it change over the course of the movie?
The good stuff
  • message true0 Positive messages: Marital infidelity, family discord, neglect -- it's all here, but the film has heart, and its main character is full of good intentions.
What to watch for
  • violence false3 Violence: A clearly enraged child attacks his minder with toys and fists; later, he and his brother are shown trying to poison him with scrubbing cleanser. It's played in jest, but still ... Also, two people confront a couple on a tryst, which leads to some pushing, shoving, and screaming. The Iraq war is referenced more than once through radio and TV clips -- its presence looms over everyone.
  • sex false0 Sex: A woman has an affair with her boss; they're shown cuddling together and about to kiss. Another woman is shown in her bra and skirt, right before she embarks on a liaison. A man's backside is revealed accidentally, but not during sex. A character is shown urinating, though no body parts are exposed.
  • language false3 Language: Quite colorful, including everything from "a--hole" and "bitch" to "j-zz" and "f--k."
  • consumerism false3 Consumerism: Signage for BluNexion, an Internet company that has Kabluey as its mascot; Mustang GT decals are visible on a car, Wishbone salad dressing, Lexus, various supermarket signs.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3 Drinking, drugs and smoking: One character smokes at work; Salman drinks a beer at work.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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