Drama Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Drama

Image showing a young Black man standing in front of a wall with a poster asking "WHAT IS WAR for?"
Review

Yardie

by Christina Newland

Idris Elba makes his directorial debut with a partial adaptation of Victor Headley’s cult 1992 novel.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Woman in black suit jacket and glasses sitting at a desk, looking thoughtful.
Review

The Children Act

by Beth Webb

Emma Thompson delivers a heartfelt turn as a high court judge presiding over a difficult case in the second Ian McEwan adaptation of 2018.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Group of women sitting outdoors by tree, engaged in conversation.
Review

The Women (1939)

by Caroline Golum

Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford and Rosalind Russell are as sensational as ever in George Cukor’s classic Hollywood comedy.

5
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
Grainy black-and-white image of a man and woman in close conversation, with the woman wearing a fur coat.
Review

Mildred Pierce (1945)

by David Jenkins

In tandem with a big Joan Crawford retrospective, this moving noir scorcher returns to cinemas.

4
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
A woman with short blonde hair wearing an orange cardigan and holding gardening tools in an outdoor setting.
Review

Under the Tree

by David Jenkins

Neighbours go to war in this bitterly cynical Icelandic comedy about our capacity for malevolence.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Interior with several people seated, artwork and a bust on display.
Review

The Heiresses

by Hannah Strong

Ana Brun’s award-winning performance powers this empathetic portrait of Paraguayan elites.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Bare trees forming a tunnel, person in red coat examining the scene.
Review

A Sicilian Ghost Story

by Elena Lazic

A young girl attempts to unravel the mystery of her friend’s disappearance in Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza’s second feature.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A woman with dark curly hair and a contemplative expression, wrapped in a beige coat against a snowy backdrop.
Review

The Apparition

by David Jenkins

A photojournalist undertakes a truth-seeking mission from the Catholic Church in Xavier Giannoli’s new drama.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Woman in fur-trimmed jacket holding Paris guidebook
Review

The Escape

by Adam Woodward

Gemma Arterton excels in this quietly devastating character study about a desperate housewife.

2
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A woman with dark hair looking pensive, her face in profile against a blurred background.
Review

Apostasy

by David Jenkins

The dark chasm between traditional religion and modern living is the subject of Daniel Kokotajlo’s harrowing debut feature.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect