Film Reviews

Cannes 2019: Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood review - sun-soaked black comedy

Joseph Walsh Thursday, 23 May 2019

Moments before Quentin Tarantino’s blistering, outrageous work screened at Cannes, a message was delivered on behalf of the director, asking reviewers to avoid spoilers. It’s easy to see why. There’s a lot of pleasure in the film’s initial shock value, So yes, let’s avoid spoilers. But the surprises aren’t what make this film so good.

John McEnroe: In the Realm of Perfection review - a fascinating oddity

Veronica Lee Wednesday, 22 May 2019

Film buffs who are also tennis fans (there must be quite a few of us who fit in that particular Venn diagram) will love this quirky and experimental documentary by Julien Faraut, which uses archive footage and narration to examine the idea of a shared passion for cinema and sport, and how they may unite on film.

Cannes 2019: Diego Maradona review - entertaining but skin-deep

Joseph Walsh Tuesday, 21 May 2019

Director Asif Kapadia's documentary on the controversial 1980s sporting legend Diego Maradona premiered at Cannes this week, and there's something unsatisfying about the fact it doesn't have a one-word title.

Cannes 2019: Too Old to Die Young - nightmarish LA noir

Joseph Walsh Monday, 20 May 2019

This year, Cannes has been adamantly defending traditional cinema, with more than a few jibes at Netflix (who remain persona non grata at the festival), but that hasn’t stopped them screening two episodes of Nicolas Winding Refn’s new Amazon TV series, Too Old To Die Young.

Last Stop Coney Island review - the life and photography of Harold Feinstein

Saskia Baron Monday, 20 May 2019

This is a real passion project; British filmmaker Andy Dunn spent years building up a relationship with the late American photographer Harold Feinstein, filming him at work and interviewing friends, family and colleagues. The result is a loving portrait of a remarkable man.

Cannes 2019: Pain and Glory review - a dour, semi-autobiographical portrait

Joseph Walsh Sunday, 19 May 2019

There’s a touch of Fellini’s 8 ½ in Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film. It’s a forlorn, confessional tale, with Antonio Banderas starring as Salvador Mallo, a director in the latter stages of his career.

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Tucked review - dispiriting British drag queen drama

Saskia Baron Sunday, 19 May 2019

It would be great to herald this low-budget drama about an elderly drag queen and his friendship with a young gay singer-songwriter as a little gem of British indie cinema.

Birds of Passage review - mesmerising Colombian family saga

Markie Robson-Scott Saturday, 18 May 2019

“Do you know why I’m respected?” demands Ursula (Carmiña Martinez), a Wayuu matriarch in La Guajira in northern Colombia, of Rapayet (José Acosta), who wants to marry her daughter Zaida (Natalia Reyes, soon to star in James Cameron’s Terminator reboot). “Because I’m capable of anything for my family and my clan.”

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum review - mayhem in Manhattan

Adam Sweeting Friday, 17 May 2019

Keanu Reeves’s hitman franchise is blossoming into a delirious little earner.

Beats review - Scottish boys seek rave

Graham Fuller Thursday, 16 May 2019

Achingly nostalgic for rave culture, Beats will likely appeal to anyone whose formative experience of ardent friendships and communal joy peaked in a transcendent musical setting with or without the help of Ecstasy.

Diamantino review - loopy satire slaps Brexit

Graham Fuller Saturday, 11 May 2019

Imagine Cristiano Ronaldo, virtuosity intact, as buffed, blinged, and coiffed as ever, but with the sophistication and sexual maturity of an average seven-year-old, and you have a fair idea of Diamantino’s protagonist.

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The Hustle review - rotten scoundrels

Nick Hasted Saturday, 11 May 2019

This third version of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ yarn of rival, class-warring con artists on the French Riviera is just something for Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson to do till a better gig comes along....

Destination Wedding review - a misanthropic modern-day romance

Joseph Walsh Saturday, 11 May 2019

Recently, Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder have found themselves in a career renaissance. Reeves has made a remarkable comeback as the dog-loving action-hero John Wick, while Ryder won audiences over as the grief-stricken mother, Joyce Byers, in Netflix’s 80s nostalgia-fest Stranger Things.