robbie collin of "the daily telegraph" stated, "this is a complex, bewitching and melancholy drama, another fearlessly intelligent film from assayas." he said, "binoche plays the role with elegance and melancholic wit – her character slips between fiction and fact in a way that recalls her role in abbas kiarostami's "certified copy." but it's stewart who really shines here. valentine is probably her best role to date: she's sharp and subtle, knowable and then suddenly distant, and a late, surprising twist is handled with a brilliant lightness of touch."