Contributions from David Jenkins | Little White Lies

Contributor David Jenkins

Two people embrace, faces close together, an intimate moment.
Review

God’s Creatures

by David Jenkins

Emily Watson and Paul Mescal play mother and son in Anna Rose Holmer and Saela Davis’ Irish fishing village-set drama.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Animated figure of a nude woman standing in a dark, forested setting, with mist or fog surrounding her.
Review

Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman

by David Jenkins

Pierre Földes’ debut feature is an animated adaptation of a several short stories by celebrated Japanese author Haruki Murakami.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Three individuals wearing colourful clothing against a blue background.
In Praise Of

The Story of Adèle E

by David Jenkins

In praise of French actor Adèle Exarchopoulos who brings her sultry sensibility to a range of roles, most recently Léa Mysius’ The Five Devils.
Two people, a man and a woman, standing close together and smiling while holding a microphone, set against a dark background with colourful lights.
Review

The Five Devils

by David Jenkins

Léa Mysius crafts an enigmatic tale about a young girl with a magical sense of smell in her auspicious second feature.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Blonde woman with curly hair embracing a dark-haired person, their faces close together, eyes closed.
Review

Other People’s Children

by David Jenkins

Virginie Efira delivers a sublime performance as a journalist who develops a strong bond with her boyfriend’s daughter in Rebecca Zlotowski’s romantic dramedy.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Four superheroes in colourful costumes standing on a city street.
Review

Shazam! Fury of the Gods

by David Jenkins

It’s a case of massively diminishing returns for Zachary Levi’s snap-talking teen superhero in this sequel which struggles to locate a raison d’être.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Young girl in denim dungarees with arms raised against wooden wall.
Review

Pearl

by David Jenkins

Ti West pays homage in The Wizard of Oz in the prequel to his throwback slasher X – but Mia Goth really makes this one sing.

2
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two young girls, one holding a stuffed animal, conversing in a room with various shelves and objects.
Review

I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking)

by David Jenkins

A mother attempts to scrape together a deposit for a house over a single day in Kelley Kali and Angelique Molina’s dramatically-underpowered response to post-pandemic life.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Young man in grey top, standing in a dimly lit room.
Festivals

Manodrome – first-look review

by David Jenkins

Jesse Eisenberg breaks his dweeby typecast as a disenchanted bodybuilder lured into to a men’s rights group in John Trengove’s intriguing thriller.
A man wearing a dark cap and grey clothing, with a serious expression on his face.
In Praise Of

Jus’ Funnin: In praise of the Channing Tatum smirk

by David Jenkins

The man who is Magic Mike possesses one of the most brilliant acting power moves on the block.