Drama Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Drama

A woman in period clothing standing outside a wooden cabin, holding a rifle.
Review

The Drover’s Wife

by David Jenkins

Leah Purcell writes, directs and stars in this violent psychological western about a Bushwoman defending her lonesome patch.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Elderly woman seated at a cluttered desk, looking pensive; man in a striped jacket stands at a window, gazing outside.
Review

Vortex

by Adam Woodward

An elderly Parisian couple struggle with the trials of ageing in Gaspar Noé’s miserable but intriguing new film.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two people sitting in a room, one man wearing a white jumper and the other a woman wearing a patterned cardigan. Behind them are framed artworks and a light fixture on the wall.
Review

Father Stu

by Charles Bramesco

A skeptical amateur wrestler finds religion in writer/​director Rosalind Ross’ uninspired biopic.

2
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
Two women conversing by a yellow car in a wooded area with trees and greenery.
Review

The Quiet Girl

by Alicia Haddick

A young girl’s difficult home life takes a turn for the better in Colm Bairéad’s impressive debut feature.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
Two elderly women, one wearing a wide-brimmed hat and the other in a long, light-coloured coat, standing together in an ornate interior setting.
Review

Downton Abbey: A New Era

by Saskia Lloyd Gaiger

The sprawling period drama returns to the big screen for a giddy swirl of lawns and penguin suits.

2
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A group of young people, some standing, some sitting, on a concrete ledge against a blue sky. Various poses and styles of clothing, with speakers or sound equipment in the background.
Review

Casablanca Beats

by Marina Ashioti

A former rapper sets up a hip-hop programme for the participants of his local youth group in Nabil Ayouch’s well-meaning drama.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Surprised person in dark setting with colourful lights.
Review

We’re All Going to the World’s Fair

by Lillian Crawford

A teenage girl gets caught up in a mysterious online game in Jane Schoenbrun’s fascinating tech-horror debut.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two shirtless men with closely cropped hair embracing tenderly.
Review

Saint-Narcisse

by Marina Ashioti

Queercore godhead Bruce LaBruce returns with a wild, camp incest odyssey set in 1970s Quebec.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two figures embracing, a man and a woman, in a dimly lit room with artwork on the walls.
Review

Happening

by David Jenkins

Audrey Diwan’s significant and unflinching adaptation of Annie Erneux’s memoir of a teen abortion is one of the year’s best films.

3
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
Young swimmers wearing blue swimming caps waiting by poolside.
Review

Playground

by Caitlin Quinlan

A young brother and sister’s relationship is tested when they experience schoolyard bullying in Laura Wandel’s harrowing drama.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect