Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Christian Bale, Lee Ross, Emily Watson, Elsa Zylberstein, Rufus ... see more see more... , Jonathan Aris , Ifan Meredith , Amanda Ryan

An unexpected visit causes a man to wonder what path he should have taken in life in this drama. In 1977, Chris (Christian Bale) and Marion (Emily Watson) are a staid married couple living in a workin... read more read more...g-class community near the outskirts of London, where the Metro tube line dead-ends. While Marion is reasonably happy, Chris is bored and restless, and he often daydreams about how his life could have been different. Chris and Marion first met in Paris in 1968, when revolution was in the air and they were both footloose bohemians exploring the world. Chris was briefly in love with Annick (Elsa Zylberstein), a wild, beautiful, and high-spirited young woman, but he married Marion instead, and he frequently wonders if he made the right choice. One day, Chris receives a telephone call from his old buddy Toni (Lee Ross), who was his best friend back in his days in Paris. While Chris has joined the working class, Toni is still following his muse around the world, drifting through Europe, America, Africa, or anywhere else the breeze takes him. Toni is visiting England and invites Chris to leave Marion behind and join him in his travels. Already in an unsure state of mind, Chris finds himself calling practically every aspect of his life into question -- he even wonders if Marion might be attracted to Toni, whom she's never cared for. Metroland was adapted by Adrian Hodges from the novel by Julian Barnes. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

53% liked it

3,056 ratings

Critics

64% liked it

28 critics

R, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Philip Saville

Release Date: December 1, 1999

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: March 28, 2000

Stats: 129 reviews

Your Rating



clear rating

Flixster Reviews (129)


  • May 26, 2010
    An interesting movie with an interesting view on modern western culture. Its a bit like an unfunny version of "You Me and Dupree", it has the same structure of a wild friend lifting the curtain of the suburb lifestyle
  • November 20, 2009
    A really well done movie with strong performances and visual style. Christian Bale played a great angsty working man looking back on his past. Emily Watson also did a nice job playing such a sweet, yet controlling wife.
  • June 12, 2011
    Good film, good writing and performances by Christian Bale and Emily Watson.
  • August 25, 2007
    Sexy movie. Kind of the thinking British man's "She's Having a Baby" but "She's Having a Baby" was definitely funnier and better.
  • March 27, 2007
    I don't exactly recommend it... but I don't know that I was able to appreciate it at the age I watched it.

Critic Reviews


Cole Smithey
November 20, 2007
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

Underrated.

Michael Dequina
January 2, 2007
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

For all the nudity and sexual content, Philip Saville's unoriginal and predictable film is, at its core, no different from one you'd find premiering on network television. Full Review

Rob Thomas
April 21, 2006
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)

A moving film about the compromises of adulthood, but perhaps a little too earnest.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
March 4, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

A deft morality tale about the engines of sexual desire and jealousy. Full Review

Chuck Rudolph
April 28, 2001
Chuck Rudolph, Matinee Magazine

With terrific performances from Bale and Watson, the film is memorable and unique instead of plain and watchable. Full Review

Ed Kelleher
January 1, 2000
Ed Kelleher, Film Journal International

An affectionate but barbed tale about a pair of suburban-bred Englishmen Full Review

James Sanford
January 1, 2000
James Sanford, rec.arts.movies.reviews

likely to strike a chord with a lot of young husbands, especially those who find themselves sometimes envying their single friends. ...Bale and Watson are utterly credible... Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
January 1, 2000
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

The film flips back and forth between the Beatlemania-era of the early '60s and their suburban period of the '70s... Full Review

Elias Savada
January 1, 2000
Elias Savada, Nitrate Online

There's nothing extraordinary about Metroland. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
September 7, 2011
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Reign Over Me
    Reign Over Me (33%)
  • Newsies
    Newsies (100%)
  • I Think I Love My Wife
    I Think I Love My Wife (100%)
  • Alfie
    Alfie (50%)

Facts


No facts approved yet. Be the first

Metroland : Watch Free on TV


Metroland Trivia


  • Which movie stared Christian Bale? a. Metroland (0%) b. American Psycho (7%) c. Little Women (1%) d. Shaft (0%) What's wrong with this question?   Answer »

Movie Quizzes


No quizzes for Metroland. Want to create one?

Video Clips


No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists


Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?