film critic roger ebert liked the film's direction, and wrote "bill forsyth's "gregory's girl" is a charming, innocent, very funny little movie about the weird kid. ... the movie contains so much wisdom about being alive and teenage and vulnerable that maybe it would even be painful for a teenager to see it. ... maybe only grown-ups should see this movie. you know, people who have gotten over the pains of unrequited love (hollow laugh)."