Drama Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Drama

A person with long dark hair wearing a yellow shawl, facing a person wearing a brown jacket in a wooded area.
Review

Poor Things review – Lanthimos at his most playful and comedic

by Savina Petkova

Emma Stone gives a career-defining performance in Yorgos Lanthimos’ opulent provocation about the human body as a nexus for pleasure and pain.

5
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
A grey-haired man in a dark suit and glasses, looking serious, seated with others in the background.
Review

One Life review – protect Anthony Hopkins at all costs

by Adam Woodward

Anthony Hopkins is sensational in James Hawes’ otherwise fairly conventional biopic of Nicholas Winton, who was responsible for rescuing hundreds of Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Man in suit next to red vehicle.
Review

Ferrari review – Driver is fantastic, Cruz is even better

by David Jenkins

Adam Driver portrays the single-minded Enzo Ferrari in his middle-age following the death of his son Dino in Michael Mann’s unconventional take on the biographical drama.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Woman reading a magazine on a sofa, wearing a red dress.
Review

Priscilla review – subtle and sensational

by Hannah Strong

A star is born in Sofia Coppola’s biographical drama based on the relationship between Priscilla and Elvis Presley, with Cailee Spaeny delivering a remarkable performance.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
Two anime characters - a young boy and a creature with a large nose - seated at a wooden table in a rustic interior scene with a green door and windows.
Review

The Boy and the Heron review – poetry, philosophy, pure emotion

by Mark Asch

Less a swansong and more a heronsong from the Japanese maestro Hayao Miyazaki, a mystical and ambitious message of hope for the future.

5
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
A woman in a white blouse standing on a wooden staircase, surrounded by decorative railings and a large framed painting on the wall behind her.
Review

Raging Grace review – combines righteous anger with well-executed chills

by David Jenkins

An undocumented Filipina immigrant secures a care job to provide a better life for her young daughter, but it turns out to be something more sinister in Paris Zarcilla’s horror.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two men discussing a hand-drawn diagram with colourful abstract shapes and lines on a canvas, outdoors in a park setting.
Review

Next Goal Wins review – chillingly eager to please

by Mark Asch

Taika Waititi’s feel-good comedy about the plight of a hapless Samoan football team strives for nothing more than maintaining the status quo.

2
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Three middle-aged women in somber attire, likely at a funeral. One woman wears a black hat, another a long dark coat, and the third a long black coat. They appear somber and reflective, walking together.
Review

Sweet Sue review – a strange, disjointed film

by David Jenkins

Leo Leigh’s likeable but wonky feature debut offers a meandering trawl through the doomed love life of a mature party shop owner.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Gigantic sea monster with sharp teeth emerges from foaming waves, as a small ship is tossed in the turbulent waters.
Review

Godzilla Minus One review – Precision-tooled fun

by David Jenkins

Our atomic friend returns for a runout on the battered landscape of post-1945 Tokyo in Takashi Yamazaki’s stripped back action epic.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Young woman reclining in car at sunset, wearing white shirt and jeans
Review

Earth Mama review – new talent arrives on the scene fully-formed

by David Jenkins

Seek out this very special debut feature from Savanah Leaf about a woman navigating the bureaucratic hell of the child services system.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect