Movieline's Hollywood Life
"...Strong performances by Natasha Lyonne, Alan Arkin and Marisa Tomei..." 09/??/1998 p.48Rolling Stone
"...Jenkins shows an innate gift for lacing laughs with the pain of experience....Lyonne shifts keys from tough to tender without hitting a false note..." 09/03/1998 p.109 Sight and Sound
"...An enjoyable comedy....Jenkins' film underlines the fragility and strength of family ties..." 12/01/1998 p.61 New York Times
"...[The actors] project a crazy sincerity that turns this personal and nostalgic comedy into a very true story indeed..." 08/14/1998 p.E9 Box Office
"...Engaging....SLUMS OF BEVERLY HILLS features solid performances and surprisingly deft direction....A charming and delightful romp, with keen observations about character, time and place..." 07/01/1998 p.126 Los Angeles Times
"...[Lyonne acts] with an irresistible blend of maturity and innocence..." 08/14/1998 p.C16 James Berardinelli's ReelViews 8 of 10
The truth of this shows in the insight she brings to Vivian's experiences. The character's struggles with the pitfalls of adolescent development may be particular to women, but many of the emotional ramifications will strike a chord of familiarity for men, as well. It's the differences in addition to the similarities that make all coming-of-age stories compelling to members of both sexes - James Berardinelli
Chicago Sun-Times 8 of 10
Slums of Beverly Hills was born to inspire a sitcom, and probably a pretty good one, too. It's about a poor Jewish family who moves by night from one sleazy apartment to another, jumping the rent but always staying within Beverly Hills to take advantage of the educational system. Every move brings them into range of a fresh supply of wacky supporting characters. - Roger Ebert
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