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Joe Dziemianowicz, NY Daily News: "Even the talented Jeremy Irons and Joan Allen and director Jack O'Brien, who have five Tonys among them, aren't able to breathe charm or art into this pale drama by Michael Jacobs, which is both obscure and simplistic."

Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter: "Bottom Line: Jeremy Irons and Joan Allen shine in this problematic, metaphor-ridden play."

Malcolm Johnson, Hartford Courant: "Now that it has opened, it is easy to see why the initial unveiling of "Impressionism" was postponed. Despite a solid cast headed by Jeremy Irons, Joan Allen and Marsha Mason, this new American play by Michael Jacobs too often feels like an art history quiz."

David Sheward, Backstage: "This disappointing evening is a surprise, as the production is directed by the normally masterful Jack O'Brien, whose marathon stagings of The Coast of Utopia and Henry IV flew by. With Impressionism, 100 intermissionless minutes seem like endless hours. At least you can play Guess the Artist as several beautiful impressionist classics are shown during the scene changes. Thanks to Elaine J. McCarthy for her projection design. Save your money and visit the Met instead."

David Rooney, Variety: "In that jewel among teen movies, "Clueless," Alicia Silverstone's character uses the term "a full-on Monet" to describe an overstyled classmate. "It's like a painting, see?" she explains. "From far away, it's OK, but up close, it's a big old mess." From a distance, "Impressionism" must have looked pretty good to its platoon of producers, with a top director, two distinguished lead actors long absent from the New York stage and a plot about mid-life love to speak directly to the prime Broadway play demographic. But did no one get up close enough to read Michael Jacobs' pretentious bore of a script?"

Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press: "'Impressionism' is an elaborate if awkward romance _ positively brimming with self-importance _ and showcased in a setting that includes a parade of gorgeous photographic reproductions of famous paintings. As a play, it never reaches the lofty level of its ambition despite a starry cast that includes Jeremy Irons and Joan Allen as a pair of wounded artistic types who are attracted to each other. Eventually."

Linda Winer, Newsday: "'Impressionism' manages what would seem to be impossible. It makes bores out of two unconscionably attractive and intelligent actors and wastes the sporting efforts of Marsha Mason, André de Shields and an underemployed quartet of less-celebrated talents."

Elysa Gardner, USA Today: "Both lead actors seem stumped by their awkwardly, sentimentally drawn roles, as does their estimable director, Jack O'Brien. Irons manages to bring redeeming grace to the performance, speaking his lines with a knowing gentleness and exuding an easy, rumpled charm. Allen's readings, in contrast, seem breathless and strained, as though she is struggling to force more genuine life and nuance into Katharine."

Ben Brantley, New York Times: " I've concluded that even if I were to back up all the way to the Hudson River, with half-open eyes fixed on the stage where Mr. Irons and Ms. Allen labor so valiantly, "Impressionism" still wouldn't look credible. I mean this both in terms of its plot and as a proposition that would entice some very talented people and a vast army of producers."

More to come as they come in...