Stephen Frears Reviews and Articles | Little White Lies

Talent Stephen Frears

Two people wearing traditional clothing walking down a path surrounded by leafy trees.
Review

Victoria & Abdul

by Katherine McLaughlin

Judi Dench repris­es her role as Queen Vic­to­ria in this touch­ing study of lat­er-life depression.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two people in period costume, a woman with elaborate hairstyle and hat, and a man in a suit, talking closely.
Review

Florence Foster Jenkins

by David Jenkins

Stephen Frears par­lays the fas­ci­nat­ing sto­ry of this war­bling song­bird into a cosy, feath­erlight comedy.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Cyclist in yellow jersey racing down street with spectators watching.
Review

The Program

by Adam Woodward

Like Lance Arm­strong him­self, there’s some­thing disin­gen­u­ous about this by-the-num­bers biopic.

4
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Elderly woman in floral scarf and elderly man in tweed jacket, sitting and conversing in an indoor setting.
Review

Philomena

by David Jenkins

A big return-to-form for direc­tor Stephen Frears in this lilt­ing transat­lantic weepie.

2
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Woman in red top and denim shorts standing near wooden fence in outdoor setting with greenery.
Review

Tamara Drewe

by Matt Bochenski

Strip­ping away the daz­zling veneer of sun-dap­pled priv­i­lege, Stephen Frears reveals a world of betray­al, des­per­a­tion, bit­ter­ness and regret.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect