Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Erica Derrick By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Geraldine The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

bettycjung 6/7/18. This is a sad love story of a lesbian (Kirke), named Joey who falls for a needy woman with kids looking for an emotional and financial connection in every which way she can. Sadly, Joey is willing to give up everything for the woman she loves, but that woman (Wool) does not reciprocate in kind. All she was looking for is someone to support her, be that someone be a man or a woman. In the end, you will feel bad for Joey.

gunsanddonuts Okay, when I watched this movie THEN saw that it had 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, I thought surely I slipped into an alternate universe...then I realized only 6 people reviewed the movie. I'm going to assume those 6 are either related to the actors/writers OR they have been kept in an underground bunker since birth, devoid of human contact and without concept of language beyond guttural sounds and hand gestures. In a nutshell, this movie sucked at all levels..the acting...the story...the direction...the ending...the dialogue. I could go on. About the only thing that kept my interest was my discomfort with the cleanliness of mobile home and Reyna's unkempt hair. There was nothing "artistic" about this movie, in fact, I've watched people grab their luggage off a baggage carousel with more enthusiasm. BOO!

rozehannah AWOL is such an honest film, that when you watch it you effortlessly breathe and feel with its main characters. This is due to director Deb Shoval's remarkable ability to submerge you in a small Pennsylvania coal town, and to actresses Lola Kirke's and Breeda Wool's fearless performances as Joey and Rayna. It is an intimate look at the lives of those who don't often grace the silver screen: soldier recruits, wives, closeted lesbians, and rural American families. AWOL is poignant, guarded, raw- like Joey and Rayna's relationship. Watching it will make you more compassionate, more understanding, and somehow more human.

l-wellsjones I have been following the progress of this film, eagerly anticipating its release. From the opening sequence, through to the final frame I was invested in the characters journey and the underlining themes of the story. Authentic directing from Shoval helped create space for the characters to build, only cutting and moving the camera when necessary. The queerness of the characters is not made out to be the central theme of the film, however, the love story is genuine. Kirke delivers an emotive performance that reflects a relatable, yet painful depiction of the reckless nature of a first love.