Drama Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Drama

Two women sitting on a teal sofa, engaged in conversation, surrounded by books and other items on a coffee table.
Review

The Room Next Door review – something is missing

by Hannah Strong

Pedro Almodóvar makes his English-language debut with an adaptation of Sigrid Nunez’s What Are You Going Through, starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton as old friends who reunite in a time of crisis.

5
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two men in suits, one on a phone, in the back of a car.
Review

The Apprentice review – Demands sympathy for the devil

by Mark Asch

Sebastian Stan essays a young Donald Trump in this glossy, empty film about the orange fascist’s initial dabbling in evil.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
Two adults standing in a field, one wearing a denim jacket and the other a yellow cardigan.
Review

Portraits of Dangerous Women review – pleasant to a fault

by David Jenkins

Following a bizarre road accident, the lives of three strangers collide in this cheerful yet meandering dramedy.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Review

Blitz – A vital fragment of the Steve McQueen saga

by Rógan Graham

A mother and son reunion takes place on the bomb-shattered streets of World War Two-era London in this sweeping historical melodrama.

5
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Ornate headdress, elaborate gown, dark red background.
Review

Timestalker review – ripples with insight and emotion

by David Jenkins

Alice Lowe’s miraculous second feature is a triumph of imagination, soul-searching and a refined comic instinct.

4
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
Two people leaning in close, lit by warm orange light.
Review

Joker: Folie à Deux review – a grim karaoke session

by Hannah Strong

Todd Phillips recruits Lady Gaga to his circus act as Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as the crime-committing clown about town in this shockingly amateur musical effort.

2
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A young woman with green hair wearing a black top, sitting on a window ledge and looking thoughtful.
Review

The Outrun review – sensationally directed and performed

by Katherine McLaughlin

Saoirse Ronan stars as a young woman battling alcoholism on the Orkney Isles in Nora Fingscheidt’s adaptation of Amy Liptrott’s bestselling memoir.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A man and woman sitting on a couch in a dimly lit room, engrossed in reading something together.
Review

The Teacher review – a wonderful cinematic experience

by Grace Dodd

A Palestinian teacher has to reconcile his commitment to political resistance with his role as father-figure in Farah Nabulsi’s gripping feature debut.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Man in a suit pointing a gun at the camera in a dramatic, cinematic setting with yellow lighting.
Review

Megalopolis review – scintillating, absurd and violently original

by David Jenkins

Ignore the haters – this is the kaleidoscopic, enriching, Wellsian vision of a grand old master with nothing to lose.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Man in suit standing at podium in courtroom, surrounded by people.
Review

The Goldman Case review – a thumping courtroom drama

by David Jenkins

Cédric Kahn recreates the gripping 1976 trial of political activist Pierre Goldman in this immersive courtroom drama.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect