France

THIRST STREET: Lacking In Character, But Not In Style

Thirst Street may be deficient in the character department but it more than makes up for it with its stylishly vivid visuals.

VALERIAN & THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS: Visually Astonishing But Narratively Exhausting
VALERIAN & THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS: Visually Astonishing But Narratively Exhausting

Though visually enticing, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is bogged down by a bloated script and poorly written characters.

IN THE SHADOW OF WOMEN: Stylish But Slight
IN THE SHADOW OF WOMEN: Stylish But Slight

In the Shadow of Women is alluring in its presentation, but ultimately doesn’t have much to say about infidelity and relationships.

AFTER LOVE: A Devastating Dissection Of A Marriage's End
AFTER LOVE: A Devastating Dissection Of A Marriage’s End

After Love thrusts you into the middle of a domestic war zone. Thanks to the claustrophobia and heightened tension, there are very few moments in the film that aren’t fraught with emotion; whether it be fury, devastation, or even, on occasion, love (or at least what’s left of it).

FALSE CONFESSIONS: A Terminal Truth

In this version of Marivaux’s play False Confessions there are laughs to be had, but its adaptation to modern day makes it a confusing watch.

THE COUNTRY DOCTOR: Deeper Than You'd Expect
THE COUNTRY DOCTOR: Deeper Than You’d Expect

Though appearing to be another of those aging romantic dramas, The Country Doctor is instead refreshingly heartwarming and impactful.

FOOTNOTES: Painfully Out Of Tune
FOOTNOTES: Painfully Out Of Tune

The best thing about Footnotes is that it’s just 78 minutes. But there are so many other, better ways you could spend your time.

LOVE AT FIRST CHILD: Sparklingly Generic
LOVE AT FIRST CHILD: Sparklingly Generic

Love at First Child offers nothing new in the romantic comedy genre, but some laughs and chemistry between the leads make it a pleasant watch.

The Beginner's Guide: Claire Denis, Director
The Beginner’s Guide: Claire Denis, Director

The characters in her films don’t say much, but Claire Denis still manages to create worlds where communication arrives in other forms.

MOKA: Motherhood, Grief & Revenge
MOKA: Motherhood, Grief & Revenge

Moka is a French slow burning drama that occasionally conjures some suspense, which makes it fascinating in its own way.

PICKPOCKET: Crime & Punishment Of The Mundane
PICKPOCKET: Crime & Punishment Of The Mundane

Pickpocket (1959) is an intricately staged, intimate character study from Robert Bresson – solidifying itself as one of his greatest works.

IN THE SHADOW OF IRIS: The Outline Of A Great Thriller Ultimately Fades With A Whimper

In the Shadow of Iris has inklings of greatness, but it suffers from a muddled plot and some questionable casting and production choices.

SLACK BAY: Madcap... Or Simply Maddening?
SLACK BAY: Madcap… Or Simply Maddening?

An open mind and a willing heart are needed to appreciate Slack Bay’s zaniness; it’s a lot of fun when the initial peculiarities settle.

A WOMAN'S LIFE: Endlessly, Unremittingly, Relentlessly Bleak
A WOMAN’S LIFE: Endlessly, Unremittingly, Relentlessly Bleak

A Woman’s Life shows the hardships women endure throughout their lives relentlessly and without optimism, and is depressing as a result.

JEANNE DIELMAN 23, QUAI DU COMMERCE 1080 BRUXELLES: Mystery & Insight In Everyday Work
JEANNE DIELMAN 23, QUAI DU COMMERCE 1080 BRUXELLES: Mystery & Insight In Everyday Work

We take a look at Chantal Akerman’s Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai Du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles, which deals with the mundane in a truly unique way.