Sport Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Sport

Two men walking together, one wearing a navy suit and the other in a yellow jacket and jeans.
Review

F1 review – speed is king, subtlety is yellow-flagged

by Adam Woodward

Brad Pitt is in scintillating form in this shameless PR exercise, which also happens to be one of the year’s most purely entertaining cinematic experiences.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two men, one with a beard and hat, using a laser measurement tool to take a reading.
Review

The Fire Inside review – a sporting biog that lacks originality

by David Jenkins

Rachel Morrison directs a script by Barry Jenkins with this sadly-underwhelming underdog boxing biopic of Claressa ​“T‑Rex” Shields.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Two people, a blonde woman and a dark-haired woman, embracing in a tropical garden setting with vibrant flowers and foliage in the background.
Review

Nyad review – a solid, female-fronted sports saga

by David Jenkins

Annette Bening plays the real-life marathon swimmer in this feelgood drama that documents her attempts to cross the Straits of Florida.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two shirtless muscular men with raised arms performing on stage under bright golden lights.
Review

The Iron Claw review – a heartbreaking dissection of fraternal tragedy

by Hannah Strong

Sean Durkin’s searing new drama focuses on the incredible story of the Von Erich Brothers, who became heavyweights in the wrestling world, but were dogged by personal tragedy.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two men discussing a hand-drawn diagram with colourful abstract shapes and lines on a canvas, outdoors in a park setting.
Review

Next Goal Wins review – chillingly eager to please

by Mark Asch

Taika Waititi’s feel-good comedy about the plight of a hapless Samoan football team strives for nothing more than maintaining the status quo.

2
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Woman in blue boxing gloves in fighting stance on boxing ring.
Review

Small, Slow but Steady

by Josh Slater-Williams

A young hearing impaired boxer finds her hopes of going pro under threat due to the Covid-19 pandemic in Shô Miyake’s loose adaptation of Keiko Ogasawara’s autobiography.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Four women with blond, grey, and curly hair, smiling and conversing together.
Review

80 For Brady

by Hannah Strong

A group of octogenarian pals set their sights on attending the 2017 Superbowl in Kyle Marvin’s charming but unambitious comedy.

2
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A man wearing a hooded jacket and boxing gloves, with an American flag design on the jacket, stands in a dimly lit room.
Review

Creed III

by Cheyenne Bart-Stewart

Michael B. Jordan is both star and director in the latest instalment of this heavyweight franchise, which sees Adonis Creed face off against an old foe.

5
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two women embracing in the ocean at sunset, with vibrant pink, orange, and blue hues in the sky.
Review

The Swimmers

by David Jenkins

The astonishing saga of Syrian refugee-turned-Olympic swimmer Yusra Mardini is effectively presented by writer/​director Sally El Hosaini.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A man in a red cap and argyle jumper crouching on a golf course, with a group of people standing behind him.
Review

The Phantom of the Open

by Adam Woodward

Mark Rylance plays an average joe flung into the spotlight in Craig Roberts’ good-natured but bland comedy.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Headshot of a man wearing a dark jacket, looking down at something in his hands.
Review

Jockey

by Emily Maskell

Clint Bentley’s debut feature is an authentic character study profiling the realm of professional horse racing.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Three adults, two men and one woman, interacting with a young child on a tennis court. Trolley of tennis balls visible.
Review

King Richard

by Leila Latif

Reinaldo Marcus Green gets the best out of Will Smith in this biopic of Venus and Serena Williams’ father and coach.

2
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect