Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times called the film "sharp, fast and energetic" and wrote that it has "depth, dimension and wit".[1] John Jimenez of the Video Store Magazine wrote that the film is "well-done" with "acting good enough to put it in a class above most in its genre."[2]
TV Guide wrote that while the film was "sturdily acted", it is "basically a PSA aimed to point repeat offenders poised away from the path to perdition and on to the road to social service".[3] Buzz McClain of the Video Business called the film "competent if unthrilling" and "too good-natured for its own good".[4] Michael Speier of Variety wrote that while Lynch "invests his worldly wise caretaker with a degree of spirituality", the "supporting players are flat", and Lopez is "unconvincing as a young man who can steal cars and pull a trigger".[5]
