Drama Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Drama

A group of NASA astronauts, wearing blue flight suits with NASA logo, look serious and focused.
Review

First Man

by Adam Woodward

Damien Chazelle’s dramatisation of the Apollo 11 mission only scratches the surface of its human subject.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Woman with long brown hair looking thoughtful, set against a blurred natural background.
Review

Columbus

by Hannah Strong

This absorbing debut feature from video essayist Kogonada explores the relationship between people and spaces.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Stylised portrait of a woman in a red headscarf, with bold makeup and striking features.
Review

Tehran Taboo

by Finley Crebolder

Director Ali Soozandeh surveys a range of contemporary Iranian issues in this impressive rotoscoped animation.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Silhouette of a person holding a burning object near a car engulfed in flames against a smoky, orange-tinted background.
Review

Us and Them

by Gus Edgar-Chan

Joe Martin’s over-directed post-Brexit fable feels like a collection of different auteurs vying for attention.

2
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A man and woman performing on stage, playing guitar and singing into microphones, with a drum set visible in the background.
Review

A Star is Born

by Adam Woodward

Bradley Cooper scores his first major hit as a director with this tender romance about the price of fame and addiction.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Elderly couple smiling at each other in a room with artwork on the wall.
Review

The Wife

by Manuela Lazic

Glenn Close gives a wonderfully enigmatic performance in Björn Runge’s adaptation of Meg Wolitzer’s novel.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Woman in white shirt leaning on concrete pool edge, underwater view with blue hues.
Review

Two for Joy

by Hannah Strong

Samantha Morton plays a mother struggling with depression after the death of her husband in Tom Beard’s sensitive familial drama.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two men, one older with a beard, pointing a gun at the camera in a grim, threatening manner.
Review

Black 47

by Hannah Strong

Hugo Weaving and James Frecheville star in this grim period western set in 19th century Ireland.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A group of young people sitting on a bench, wearing casual clothes in vibrant colours and patterns. The image shows a diverse group with varying hairstyles and expressions.
Review

Skate Kitchen

by Eve Jones

Crystal Moselle’s New York-set tale of female friendship is one of the most exhilarating films of the year.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two people embracing, one wearing a blue jacket and the other wearing a yellow top, in a dimly lit indoor setting.
Review

Climax

by Adam Woodward

A dance troupe descends into a drug-addled nightmare in Gaspar Noé’s high-larks latest.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect