Drama Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Drama

Cartoon interior of a cluttered room with a smiling ghost-like character reading a newspaper, surrounded by household items and furniture.
Review

Robot Dreams review – a wordless wonder

by Michael Leader

A dog creates a robot friend for himself in Pablo Berger’s intricate, amazing silent animation.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two figures, one hooded in a dark cloak, embracing a woman wearing a light-coloured dress. Dark background.
Review

The New Boy review – an ambitious undertaking by one of Australia’s best

by Charles Bramesco

A young arrival at an Australian nunnery begins to exhibit unusual powers in Warwick Thornton’s fantastical drama.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two children running through a lush, green forest.
Review

Monster review – heartfelt and likably earnest

by Charles Bramesco

The relationship between two young schoolboys has ramifications for their local community in the new drama from Hirokazu Koreeda.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A person lying on grass wearing a yellow top, eyes closed.
Review

Banel & Adama review – gorgeous but frustrating cinema as fairytale

by Fatima Sheriff

A young couple’s romance threatens the future of their village in Ramata-Toulaye Sy’s visually stunning but underdeveloped drama.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two individuals, a woman with red hair and a bearded man, sit in a dimly lit room with a framed artwork on the wall.
Review

Memory review – a frustratingly shallow character study

by Yasmine Kandil

Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard star in Michel Franco’s dour drama about high school classmates who unexpectedly reunite amid painful circumstances.

2
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Two women, one in a military-style cap and coat and the other in a casual top, standing on a street and engaging in conversation.
Review

Wicked Little Letters review – a flimsy comic farce

by David Jenkins

Olivia Colman is hampered by thin material in this overly-quaint parochial Britcom which contains a fair bit of swearing.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Two people cycling on a path with buildings in the background.
Review

Perfect Days review – profound simplicity by two cinematic masters

by Hannah Strong

Wim Wenders’ gentle character studies features a beautifully restrained performance from Kôji Yakusho, as a toilet cleaner who lives a simple life in Tokyo.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
People embracing warmly in military setting, casual clothing, emotional scene
Review

Society of the Snow review – a visceral survival drama

by Emma Fraser

A harrowing yet incredibly human look at survival in the most desperate circumstances from director JA Bayona.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Three women in period costumes stand in a rustic kitchen, preparing food on a wooden table.
Review

The Taste of Things review – every frame is delectable

by David Jenkins

Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel play late 19th century gourmets in Tran Ahn Hung’s scintillating epic of proto-foodie passions.

4
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
Two shirtless muscular men with raised arms performing on stage under bright golden lights.
Review

The Iron Claw review – a heartbreaking dissection of fraternal tragedy

by Hannah Strong

Sean Durkin’s searing new drama focuses on the incredible story of the Von Erich Brothers, who became heavyweights in the wrestling world, but were dogged by personal tragedy.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect