Drama Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Drama

Two people, a man and a woman, standing face-to-face in an outdoor setting with a geometric steel structure in the background.
Review

Brother review – touches on a spectrum of pertinent issues

by Isabelle Gray

Clement Virgo adapts David Chariandy’s 2017 eponymous novel about the complex bond between two Jamaican-Canadian brothers.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Exterior of 'The Old Oak' pub, with a person standing outside the boarded-up windows and doorway.
Review

The Old Oak review – trades largely on didacticism and sentimentality

by Mark Asch

In what could be his final film, Ken Loach fixes his gaze on a pub landlord in a town reckoning with a new population of Syrian refugees.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Crowd of people sitting in an indoor venue, some wearing coats and scarves, with a decorated Christmas tree visible in the background.
Review

R.M.N review – effortless brilliance

by David Jenkins

Romanian director Cristian Mungiu returns with a superb social realist western with its finger on the erratic pulse of Europe.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two men in a dimly lit room, one wearing a red shirt and the other a suit. Vintage-style lamps and antique furnishings can be seen in the background.
Review

Strange Way Of Life review – characteristically Almodóvarian queer western

by Hannah Strong

An ageing gunslinger and the sheriff of a small town reunite after many years in Pedro Almodóvar’s sweet short film.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Monochrome image of a person walking in a garden near a parked car, with twisted tree branches in the foreground.
Review

Fremont review – a charming little Jarmuschian number

by Hannah Strong

Babak Jalali’s intimate dramedy strikes a delicate balance between melancholy and wryness in its reflection on the migrant experience.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
People sitting at a table in a colourful room with assorted decorations on the walls.
Review

Love Life review – frustrates its own poignance with melodrama

by Xuanlin Tham

Koji Fukuda’s ninth feature fails to meet the mark when it comes to exploring the knotty topic of familial grief.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Three people, two women and one man, seated on a boat, looking out over water.
Review

Past Lives review – unravels as a marvel

by Rafa Sales Ross

Celine Song’s feature debut is a tender exploration of multiethnic romance, complimented by nuanced performances from Greta Lee and John Magaro.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Animated male character in basketball jersey holding ball, crowd in background
Review

The First Slam Dunk review – thrillingly choreographed basketball drama

by Esther Rosenfield

The manga that brought basketball to Japan gets a new adaptation which thrillingly embodies the sport’s high-flying action.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two figures intimately embracing, gazing into each other's eyes against a blurred blue background.
Review

Passages review – a tantalising romantic car-crash

by David Jenkins

Ira Sachs returns with an intimate, intense three-hander about a Fassbinder-like film director played by the great Franz Rogowski.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two children, a boy and a girl, playing together outdoors. The boy is holding the girl's hands as they interact. Colourful clothing, natural surroundings.
Review

Scrapper review – a charming, effervescent story about grief

by Hannah Strong

The chemistry between Harris Dickinson and Lola Campbell shines in Charlotte Regan’s debut, about the difficulties of father-daughter bonding.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect