37
Metascore
9 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 63TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonaghTV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonaghThere's something disheartening about seeing real-life stories and their inevitable complexities put through the Hollywood sausage machine and transformed into bland parables about a privileged, wayward young bucks redeemed by wise, infinitely patient mentors and the self-abnegating spirit of team sports.
- 58Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment WeeklyDespite all the macho posturing, the corny story is just as sappy as anything on Lifetime.
- 50The Hollywood ReporterSheri LindenThe Hollywood ReporterSheri LindenThis inspirational sports drama unfolds in such generic fashion that it feels contrived more often than it rings true.
- 50Village VoiceVillage VoiceThough director Ryan Little puts together a clean, professional package, at bottom this is a nearly-two-hour scrum of therapeutic direct encounters.
- The movie is well shot and edited, the rugby scenes are enjoyable (if likely puzzling to the uninitiated) and "Strong's" earnestness excuses at least some of its predictability.
- 50VarietyJoe LeydonVarietyJoe LeydonThe performances are credible across the board, excessive sentimentality is largely avoided, and the sequences devoted to rough-and-tumble rugby match-ups are expertly shot and edited.
- 42The A.V. ClubNoel MurrayThe A.V. ClubNoel MurrayForever Strong is generic faith-and-redemption fare, devoid of nuance.
- 20The New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisThe New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisA mawkish drama hobbled by a thoroughly unpleasant and uncharismatic lead performance.
- 12New York PostV.A. MusettoNew York PostV.A. MusettoIf the script serves any purpose at all, it is to allow jocks to show off their buff bodies. They're hot, but not worth 12 bucks at the box office.