Drama Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Drama

Intense eyes and face tattoos of a bearded man.
Review

Savage

by Lou Thomas

This violent gangland drama from writer/​director Sam Kelly exposes toxic masculinity in New Zealand.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Wavy blonde hair framing a serious expression.
Review

The Roads Not Taken

by Greg Wetherall

Javier Bardem and Elle Fanning star in writer/​director Sally Potter’s meandering, miserablist drama.

4
Anticipation
1
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A young boy gazes intently at a large black crow perched nearby on the ground in this moody black and white photograph.
Review

The Painted Bird

by David Jenkins

A young boy navigates a war-ravaged landscape in Czech director Václav Marhoul’s bleak opus.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A man and woman embracing each other, with the woman leaning into the man's shoulder.
Review

Real

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

A couple struggles to reconcile their new romance with their emotional baggage in Aki Omoshaybi’s directorial debut.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Young Asian woman in a red robe, holding a sword, with wind-swept dark hair.
Review

Mulan

by Leila Latif

Disney’s live action remake ditches the kitsch and catchy songs – and is arguably weaker for it.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two ballet dancers in dark outfits performing on a stage with a large window in the background.
Review

Isadora’s Children

by Josh Slater-Williams

Damien Manivel’s drama captures the grace and poise of pioneering choreographer Isadora Duncan.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Crowded Champs-Élysées in Paris, lined with trees, leading to the iconic Arc de Triomphe in the distance.
Review

Les Misérables

by David Jenkins

The hardships of daily life in one of Paris’ toughest neighbourhoods are captured in Ladj Ly’s La Haine-esque debut.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A young man with dark curly hair, wearing a plaid shirt, looking directly at the camera.
Review

Hope Gap

by Lillian Crawford

Annette Bening, Bill Night and Josh O’Connor star in this heartrending story of marital strife on the shoreline.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A young man with blonde hair wearing a colourful patterned top, looking pensive and serious.
Review

Matthias & Maxime

by Hannah Strong

Xavier Dolan returns to his Québécois roots with this lilting reflection on lost youth and unspoken love.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Close-up of a smiling woman with long, wavy hair against a purple background.
Review

She Dies Tomorrow

by Lillian Crawford

Amy Seimetz’s neon-soaked danse macabre is one of the year’s most chilling and effective horrors.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect