A love story set in the 18th century about Marianne, a painter, and the aristocratic Heloïse, whose pre-wedding portrait she has been commissioned to paint. Heloïse, unwilling to marry, has consistently refused to sit – so Marianne paints her secretly, having been introduced as a hired companion. Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a… Portrait of a Lady on Fire Read More
EMMA. 4 stars
When you get to my age it feels like Emma adaptations come round more often than unexpected Jon Bernthal cameos, so I was surprised to discover it’s actually 21 years since Gwyneth Paltrow’s big screen outing as the “handsome, clever and rich” – and meddlesome – heroine. And this EMMA is a hugely enjoyable, fresh… EMMA. Read More
“I’m not a career elf!” – the Last Christmas international trailer is here
*** Read my review of Last Christmas *** And this one goes in much more heavily on the dark side of the festive season. In this case it’s the illness Kate (Emilia Clarke) suffered the previous Christmas, which left her near death. 12 months on, the experience still has her in its grip and she… “I’m not a career elf!” – the Last Christmas international trailer is here Read More
Falling Inn Love 3 stars
To B&B or not to B&B, that is the question – as American city girl Gabriela wins an actual New Zealand guesthouse in a competition, meeting handsome local builder Jake when she turns up to view her beautiful but ramshackle prize (which at least comes with its own goat, Gilbert). To which I could also… Falling Inn Love Read More
Benjamin 4 stars
A second film, like a second album, is fraught with problems, but it also offers a rich seam of jokes, especially around the double edged sword that early success brings. “Ideally I’d have just made that film and died”, young filmmaker Benjamin tells his publicist, Billie about his first movie. “Is that not a good answer…?”… Benjamin Read More
Always Be My Maybe 3.5 stars
Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) is magazine cover-famous. She’s a top chef with a successful LA restaurant, another about to open in San Francisco, and a New York venue coming later. Her childhood friend friend Marcus Kim (Randall Park) is lamppost-famous. His flyers for his 15-year-old band Hello Peril have finally reached the other side of San Francisco,… Always Be My Maybe Read More
In Fabric 4 stars
With In Fabric, director Peter Strickland has built a world which conveys all that is best and worst about shopping: carnal, animalistic, beautiful, frightening and blackly funny, with as many touchable moments as teachable ones. Imagine a cross between 1970s department store sitcom Are You Being Served? and the original Suspiria, and that just about… In Fabric Read More
Long Shot 4 stars
This is a grown-up comedy, what with it being about politics, ethical journalism, the environment, personal integrity, Boyz II Men, boners, masturbation, and drugs. Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron) is Secretary of State, working under President Chambers (Bob Odenkirk) whose route to power was a decade spent playing the president on TV. Which is very funny… Long Shot Read More
Isn’t It Romantic – 1 Minute Video Review Includes Video 4 stars
Read the full Isn’t It Romantic review and watch the trailer
Isn’t It Romantic 4 stars
I’m delighted to say that Isn’t It Romantic doesn’t have one original idea in it. You’ll have seen them all before, in a thousand romcoms – but director Todd Strauss-Schulson has taken those ideas, chucked them into the air then watched them fall to the ground in perfect order, a bit like if Rebel Wilson did… Isn’t It Romantic Read More
Lost & Found (Short Film) Short Film 5 stars
Of course I’m not crying, I’ve just stabbed myself in the eye with a crochet hook. But you may be more emotional than me, in which case I would recommend you find something to dab your eyes with (not wool, you know how that gets when it’s wet) before watching the gorgeous, witty and heartbreaking… Lost & Found (Short Film) Read More
Destination Wedding 4 stars
Trading endless insults, or sitting in un-companionable silence, anyone watching Frank and Lindsay would think they had been married for years. Actually they’ve only just met. It’s en route to the wedding of her ex-fiance Keith that Lindsay (Winona Ryder) encounters the ferociously bitter Frank (Keanu Reeves), Keith’s half-brother. Thrown together for a weekend of… Destination Wedding Read More