Avis Metacritic

Here we witness a healthy friendship between a gay and straight male that doesn't call for stilted changes in personality or sexual orientation.

Pic drifts onto a familiar obstacle course for its wide-eyed hero, but displays a spirited, open-hearted goodness along the way. Combination of warmth, humor, danger and a cosmopolitan take on young, urban Eire sets pic distinctly apart.

For all its moments of pathos, Cowboys & Angels is lighthearted. It is an assured piece of work and wholly engaging.

The coming-of-age story about the corruptions of the big city has been done a few thousand times, but at least this one offers a fresh mix of open-minded intelligence and a heartfelt point of view.

Like the fresh-faced leads, the film is an unexpected charmer.

Manages to be enjoyable despite its contrivances.

Tries to break free of formula but finally succumbs to the warm glow of predictability.

Ostensibly a less colorful, feature-length "Queer Eye," the film also examines the apparent social trichotomy of modern Ireland, where you're either a fashion designer, a drug dealer, or a complete square.

For all the violence and breaking-up-to-make-up that go on, there's never really a sense of risk or exploration, and the film's pulse never rises above faint.

One big cliche.