roger ebert of the "chicago sun-times" called it "a very good movie and, like some of its characters, it wants to break your heart. maybe it will." janet maslin of the "new york times" praised its "sharply detailed landscape" and states that its "brief characterizations are so keenly drawn that dozens of them stand out with the forcefulness of major performances." she concludes that it "begins with the strength and confidence of a great film, and ends merely as a good one. the achievement isn't what it first promises to be, but it's exciting and impressive all the same."