 "The Times" of London reviewed the film favorably, describing Hampton's screenplay as a "steady flow of dry quips and acerbic one-liners" and Pfeiffer's performance as "magnetic and subtle, her worldly nonchalance a mask for vulnerability and heartache".Roger Ebert in the "Chicago Sun-Times" wrote that it was "fascinating to observe how Pfeiffer controls her face and voice during times of painful hurt".Kenneth Turan in the "Los Angeles Times" praised the "wordless scenes that catch Léa unawares, with the camera alone seeing the despair and regret that she hides from the world.