The website's consensus reads: "Chris Eska's debut feature is a simple but compelling film, with strong performances and a story that moves along slowly but never fails to engage its audience.

"[7] Karen Durbin of the same newspaper called the film "a deceptively quiet, Ozu-like drama set in southwest Texas" and praised Castaneda for his "remarkably eloquent" performance.

However, Koehler criticized, "The complex visual concepts and sly narrative schemes of the Asian helmers Eska is clearly fond of tend to get translated here in rather superficial terms.

"[10] Stephen Farber of The Hollywood Reporter remarked, "The performances are first rate", "Cinematographer Yasu Tanida does a fine job depicting the desolate Texas landscapes", and "This film combines perfectly honed, naturalistic acting and visual lyricism.

"[11] Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a "B+" rating and commented, "The filmmaker of August Evening creates a succession of quiet, elliptical scenes that accrue into an affecting big picture of family ties and immigrant experience.