Metacritic reviews

Engaging, witty and touching film, one that defies categories to become a romantic comedy, historical biopic and philosophical rumination, all in one.

In tampering with history, these storytellers present to us a rare and wonderful case of enlightenment beyond the accepted truth.

It's a royal, finely modulated double performance by an actor who always wears his powers with graceful modesty.

Taylor's approach to this material -- mixing occasional humor with undemanding drama -- works well enough that we don't care about the logical inconsistencies and plot holes. To that end, The Emperor's New Clothes ends up as a pleasant diversion.

Pleasant rather than rollicking entertainment.

Mildly engaging.

Desperately wants to be whimsical and charming. But whimsy isn't easy to carry off, and director Alan Taylor, who has directed mostly television dramas, has a heavy hand -- scenes meant to be comical are destroyed by leaden pacing and a puzzling mix of tones.

Charming but slight.

Not without its charms. But it never rises to its clever what-if concept.

Watching this comedy is like going out with an attractive blind date who runs out of conversation after a quarter of an hour.