Voyager (film) - Reception

Reception

Critical response

The film received generally positive reviews with some qualifications. In his review in The New York Times, Vincent Canby called the story "a modern variation on the Oedipus myth" and had a mixed reaction to the film, writing, "Voyager has been handsomely photographed in all sorts of exotic locations ... It is well acted by Mr. Shepard and Miss Delpy, and is full of moments so particular and odd that they invite belief. Yet its tale of fate and predestination seems, at last, to be not timeless but absurd."

In his review in the Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert gave it three stars and offered a mixed response, writing, "The end of Voyager does not leave us with very much ... Thinking back, we realize we've met some interesting people and heard some good talk, and that it's a shame all those contrived plot points about incest got in the way of what was otherwise a perfectly stimulating relationship. This is a movie that is good in spite of what it thinks it's about."

In his review in The Washington Post, Desson Howe also offered a mixed response, writing, "To watch Voyager is to remember old-fashioned elements from the European films of, the then-exciting work of the Antonionis and Fellinis. ... Delpy's intrinsic mystique (not her acting) suggests the mystery heroines of old art films such as La Dolce Vita ... With a healthy dose of viewer indulgence, and the occasional blind eye to arty excess, there's something well-intentioned and uncommercial to celebrate."

In their review in Spirituality & Practice, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat called Voyager a "mesmerizing screen interpretation of a Max Frisch novel" with Sam Shepard delivering "his best performance in years." The Brussats conclude, "Voyager impresses with its top-drawer performances, its globe-trotting sophistication, and its literary treatment of fate."

In his DVD Savant Review in DVD Talk, Glenn Erickson gave the "uncompromised adaptation" of Max Frisch's novel an "Excellent" rating, writing, "Schlöndorff does a fine job of creating a 1957 ambience without Hollywood trappings ... The production helped revive an extinct Constellation "Connie" prop airliner for the movie, and staged an impressive desert crash without special effects. Glimpses of New York streets give an impression of late-50s cars, and a few costumes do the rest." Regarding Julie Delby's performance, Erickson noted, "The film positively glows thanks to the presence of 20 year-old Julie Delpy, who single-handedly gives the film the breath of life and the warmth of love. An overlooked commercial non-performer, Voyager is a very pleasurable experience."

In his review in DVD Beaver, Gary W. Tooze called it "a very worthy film."

Awards

The film won the Bavarian Film Award for Best Production (Eberhard Junkersdorf), won the German Film Award for Shaping of a Feature Film, and won the Guild of German Art House Cinemas Award for Best German Film. It was also nominated for three European Film Awards for Best Actress (Julie Delpy), Best Film (Eberhard Junkersdorf), and Best Supporting Actress (Barbara Sukowa), as well as a German Film Award for Outstanding Feature Film.