Musical Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Musical

Two female characters in tropical setting, surrounded by palm trees and water.
Review

Moana 2 review – a tidal wave of joy on the big screen

by Yasmine Kandil

Although it doesn’t quite soar to the heights of the original, there’s a lot to enjoy in this delightful sequel.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two women, one with blonde hair wearing a pink cardigan, the other with green skin and a dark outfit, posing together in front of Christmas decorations.
Review

Wicked review – Grande and Erivo’s chemistry is unmatched

by Fatima Sheriff

CGI Blockbuster visuals aside, there’s much to love in Jon M Chu’s adaptation of one of Broadway’s biggest musical successes.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A person in a red dress gesturing on a dark stage, with other people visible in the background.
Review

Emilia Pérez review – a musical that barely wants to be a musical

by Juan Barquin

This ghastly musical melodrama from Jacques Audiard tells of a Mexican cartel boss’ gender affirming surgery.

3
Anticipation
1
Enjoyment
1
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
Person blowing out candles on birthday cake in a kitchen setting.
Festivals

The End – first-look review

by Mark Asch

Joshua Oppenheimer returns with an ambitious, post-apocalyptic musical whose thematic flights of fancy are always just a little too strident.

2
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two smiling women, one wearing a patterned dress, the other a large straw hat, sitting together and laughing.
Review

The Color Purple review – rides on its stellar performances

by David Jenkins

Blitz Bazawule delivers an all singing, all dancing update of Alice Walker’s harrowing story of women in postbellum Georgia.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Four young women sitting on a bed, reading a book together. Diverse group, wearing bright pink and red clothing. Colourful artwork on the wall behind them.
Review

Mean Girls review – defanged take on a teen classic

by Hannah Strong

This movie based on a musical based on a movie based on a book retains none of the biting wit that charmed audiences in its original iteration.

2
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Silhouettes of dancers on stage with vibrant purple and orange lighting, geometric shapes, and twinkling stars.
Review

Give Me Pity! review – an experimental, esoteric extravaganza

by Marina Ashioti

A young woman’s dream gig on television descends into chaos in Amanda Kramer’s imaginative new melodrama.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two people embracing intimately against a sunset backdrop.
Review

Carmen

by Robyn Quick

Benjamin Millepied’s reimagining of Georges Bizet’s classic opera is beautiful to behold, but lacks musical pizzazz.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Man with short dark hair wearing a striped shirt, holding a cigarette in his mouth and looking directly at the camera.
Review

Please Baby Please

by Marina Ashioti

Amanda Kramer’s alluring, neon-lit musical feature sees a newlywed couple catapulted into a queer awakening.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Vibrant autumn landscape with horses on a path, surrounded by colourful foliage and hills.
Review

Inu-Oh

by Daniel Schindel

A dancer and a musician form a unique friendship in Masaaki Yuasa’s fantastical animated musical.

5
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two people in historical costumes on the steps of a grand baroque church.
Review

Cyrano

by Leila Latif

Joe Wright returns to his wheelhouse with a big-screen musical adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect