Drama Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Drama

Person standing amidst a flock of sheep against a sunset sky.
Review

The Shepherd

by Amy Bowker

The common man takes on big business in this slowburn plea to preserve our breathtaking natural landscapes.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two women with long, curly hair looking contemplative on a beach.
Review

Daughters of the Dust (1991)

by David Jenkins

Julie Dash’s dreamy debut feature is back in cinemas in time for its 25th anniversary.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A young woman with short dark hair and an introspective expression looking off to the side.
Review

After the Storm

by Gabriela Helfet

Hirokazu Koreeda finds deep meaning in the everyday yet again in this immaculately crafted drama.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
Two soldiers in camouflage uniforms standing in a room, one gesturing with his hand.
Review

War Machine

by William Carroll

David Michôd and Brad Pitt serve up a fascinating but uneven satire of America’s military might.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Young woman with long dark hair in profile, looking contemplative, framed by a circular window with a blurred green and blue outdoor scene in the background.
Review

I Am Not Madame Bovary

by Claire Langlais

China’s bureaucracy is exposed to great comedic effect in this sharp satire from director Feng Xiaogang.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A group of six people in a formal setting, including a man seated at a table with a glass of what appears to be liquor, surrounded by others dressed in professional attire.
Review

The Other Side of Hope

by David Jenkins

Finland’s Aki Kaurismäki responds to the refugee crisis in typically deadpan and affecting fashion.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A woman wearing a purple hijab is sitting beside a bed, looking contemplative.
Review

Inversion

by Amy Bowker

Sahar Dolatshahi shines in this understated Iranian drama about familial obligation.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Woman playing a trumpet in a black and white image.
Review

La Strada (1954)

by David Jenkins

A welcome 2K re-release of Federico Fellini’s punishing 1951 road movie about an abusive circus strongman.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Image shows a formal dining table setting. Three people are seated - an older man wearing a black suit and hat, and two younger women, one with curly hair and one with straight hair, all seated at the table.
Review

Whiskey Galore!

by Amy Bowker

This remake of the quaint Ealing comedy caper from 1949 fails to justify its existence.

2
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Two people standing in a field of tall grass, with the sea visible in the background. The man is wearing a dark jacket and the woman is wearing a green coat.
Review

The Secret Scripture

by Josh Slater-Williams

Rooney Mara is let down by weak scripting in this underpowered study of religious persecution in Ireland.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect