74
Metascore
12 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 88RogerEbert.comNell MinowRogerEbert.comNell MinowThe documentary’s skillful use of archival footage connects us to Tucker’s extraordinary talent as a singer and her vibrance and magnetism as a performer, adding poignant context to the present-day scenes, showing her often faltering, trying to hide her vulnerability.
- 80The Hollywood ReporterSheri LindenThe Hollywood ReporterSheri LindenWhether you call it a relaunch, comeback, return or rebirth, it’s captured in a fittingly down-to-earth, memory-infused documentary that’s a gift to fans — moving, thoroughly engaging, and a chance to see a remarkable sexagenarian at a turning point, doing what she does best.
- 80Los Angeles TimesNoel MurrayLos Angeles TimesNoel MurrayThis profoundly moving movie covers a different kind of success, as a great musician takes pains to make sure her idol receives some proper respect — the only currency that always matters.
- 80VarietyChris WillmanVarietyChris WillmanThere are remarkably few serious hiccups along the way in achieving the career reclamation Carlile envisions for Tucker at the start. But any heightened sense of drama isn’t really necessary when it comes to the pleasures of spending time with two such strong musical personalities in what amounts to a documentary two-hander, fully justifying tagging the younger artist’s name onto the film’s title as an awkward but fitting addendum.
- 80Arizona RepublicBill GoodykoontzArizona RepublicBill GoodykoontzIt is a fascinating document of making a comeback record — sorry, Tanya — while balancing the hard work and the gentle coaxing and cheerleading required when working with a complex talent like Tucker.
- 75ColliderRoss BonaimeColliderRoss BonaimeEven if you’re not a fan of the music of Tucker or Carlile, The Return of Tanya Tucker: Featuring Brandi Carlile will have you hoping for the best for both of these incredible musicians.
- 75Movie NationRoger MooreMovie NationRoger MooreEven if you do know how this story ends, it’s beautifully touching seeing and hearing somebody who’s been through the fame, celebrity and cocaine wringer, just grateful at the victory lap her biggest fan provides for her.
- 70The New York TimesGlenn KennyThe New York TimesGlenn KennyThe movie interweaves the contemporary sessions with a very selective — and, while not wholly sanitized, certainly discreet — account of her tumultuous past. Overall it’s a better-than-competent piece of fan service and a not unpersuasive bid for an auxiliary youth audience.
- 63Washington PostMichael O'SullivanWashington PostMichael O'SullivanMostly The Return is about listening to great music getting made by two women representing two generations of country music — Carlile is 41 — who genuinely seem to respect each other, and who have obvious talent.
- 42The PlaylistJonathan ChristianThe PlaylistJonathan ChristianThe creative vision necessary to properly chronicle the impact of two musical icons never presents itself and thoroughly undermines the film’s resonance, deforming the movie into a prosaic, excessively sentimental catalog of events.