Romance Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Romance

Two men standing in formal wear, one in a light coat, the other in a dark suit, against a background of foliage.
Review

Eisenstein in Guanajuato

by David Jenkins

Peter Greenaway explores the Mexican dog days of the Russian maestro. The results are typically indelicate.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Woman in mint green and rust-coloured dress standing on a wooden platform, surrounded by wooden structures and greenery.
Review

Cinederella

by David Jenkins

Kenneth Branagh’s refreshing, irony-free retelling of Cinderella with Downtown Abbey’s Lily James sliding on the glass slipper.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two people, a man and a woman, standing close together and appearing to have an intimate conversation.
Review

Suite Française

by David Jenkins

Nazi occupation in the French countryside leads to forbidden love in this so-so literary adaptation.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Two men in casual attire, one with a beard, the other with glasses, engaged in conversation.
Review

Love Is Strange

by David Jenkins

The amazing chemistry between the two leads of this gay NY romance is sadly brushed to the side.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A man with a dark beard and intense expression standing behind metal bars in a dimly lit room.
Review

You and the Night

by Adam Woodward

‘Oo-er Cantona, say oo-er Cantona…’ Yann Gonzalez’s frisky French romp is a feast for the senses.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A woman lying on a bed, covered in a grey blanket, with her dark hair spread across the pillow.
Review

Obvious Child

by Oliver Lyttelton

Actor and stand-up Jenny Slate shines in this romantic comedy which faces up to the realities of abortion.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A smiling woman in a dark coat and a bearded man in a green jacket walking together along a canal.
Review

Lilting

by Sophie Ivan

Hong Khaou’s debut feature is a hushed essay on coping with grief, sexuality and the cultural/​generational divide.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Smiling couple cuddling on couch with baby.
Review

Chinese Puzzle

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

Cédric Klapisch rounds off his star-spangled, globe-hopping serial in the Big Apple, with mildly amusing results.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Two people seated at a table, a man and a woman, looking contemplative in warm lighting.
Review

Testament of Youth

by Emma Simmonds

Kit Harrington and Alicia Vikander do the best to lift this underwhelming British heritage drama.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A young woman with long dark hair resting on a white sheet, gazing intently at the camera.
Review

Jeune et Jolie

by David Jenkins

A glassy-eyed and ambiguous portrait of a teenage call-girl from director François Ozon.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect