Drama Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Drama

A woman with dark hair and serious expression, wearing a black top, against a background of colourful lights.
Review

A Fantastic Woman

by Hannah Strong

A star is born in Sebastián Lelio’s drama about a trans woman coming to terms with the death of her partner.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Affectionate couple embracing outdoors, man in olive jacket, woman in knitted hat
Review

The Touch (1971)

by David Jenkins

Ingmar Bergman’s first English-language feature is a lost, mid-career gem, unearthed and restored by the BFI.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two martial artists in colourful robes, one in black and the other in orange, engaged in a dynamic jump kick move.
Review

Birth of the Dragon

by Joel Down

This strange, early years biography of Bruce Lee appears more interested in one of the story’s male side characters.

2
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Headshot of a man in a suit with serious expression against colourful lights.
Review

Mute

by Matt Thrift

Duncan Jones’ spiritual sequel to Moon is a neon-drenched nightmare – and not in the way anyone intended.

3
Anticipation
1
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
Two people, a man and a woman, standing close together and facing each other in a rural setting with buildings and a fence in the background.
Review

Dark River

by Mike McCahill

Clio Barnard follows up The Selfish Giant with an overwrought domestic drama starring Ruth Wilson.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Female figure skater performing on ice in a blue, glittery costume with arms raised.
Review

I, Tonya

by Hannah Strong

Margot Robbie shines in an engaging Tonya Harding biopic that doesn’t quite stick the landing.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A woman with dark hair wearing a green jacket is seated at a table in a dimly lit room, with several white objects, possibly eggs, in front of her.
Review

The Shape of Water

by Matt Thrift

Guillermo del Toro’s latest is a fairy tale for grown-ups with a cinephile twist – it may be his most perfect confection to date.

4
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
A woman in a black dress and jacket standing in a supermarket aisle, examining a product on the shelf.
Review

Lady Bird

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

Saoirse Ronan experiences growing pains in Sacramento in Greta Gerwig’s delightful indie comedy.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A bride and groom embracing on their wedding day, with the bride wearing a lace-trimmed dress and the groom wearing a dark suit. They are smiling and have their eyes closed, indicating a tender, romantic moment.
Review

Fifty Shades Freed

by Charles Bramesco

Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan go out with a whimper in this mildly titillating trilogy capper.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
Close-up of a soldier in camouflage uniform with a serious expression, looking out of a window.
Review

The 15:17 to Paris

by David Jenkins

Clint Eastwood cleverly restages a real-life act of heroism in this intriguing and moving docudrama.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect