Movie reviews of Garry Arnot

My Friend the Polish Girl is seductive and darkly satirical, cleverly posing as cinéma-vérité shockumentary. Showing the grim realities of making ends meet in modern-day London, Alicja Dabrowska excels in a cat-and-mouse plot where it’s never quite clear who is really in control. Review

The characters we follow are brilliantly naïve and still have a lot to learn as they transition to the next chapter of their lives, but they’re presented in an assured and confidently hilarious directorial debut from Wilde who has clearly done her homework. Booksmart passes with flying colours. Review

Rocketman is unapologetic in its glittering portrayal of its showstopping protagonist. It’s an unabashed and refreshingly truthful cinematic celebration of one of Britain’s most beloved talents. Review

Amplified by an electric soundtrack that doffs its baseball cap to the likes of techno and happy house, Beats is a taut yet transcendent time capsule of a movie. It’s a rhythmic celebration of our formative years, capturing the reckless essence of youth itself. Review

Wild Rose is a soulful celebration of a daydream believer, boosted by a thumping soundtrack and a superb turn by Jessie Buckley, who flaunts her raspy vocals in the leading role. Review

The tagline reads ‘fall, get back up’ but Hill has pulled off a masterstroke trick first time off the ramp. Review

Though it’s always refreshing to see a writer-director with such ambitious visions, and Lupita Nyong’o is great in the complicated central role, the film ultimately falls foul to its own convoluted high-concept, sending Peele into a sophomore slump. Review

It’s a strange but solid foray into the crime genre for Laurent, who cleverly zones in on the rich subtext rather than the, quite frankly run-of-the-mill context of the story. Taking Pizzolatto’s gritty Lone Star material, she crafts a brooding and bruising slow-burn drama. Review

Silva’s social satire is more subtle than it is shocking, but it is sharply executed nonetheless. Bolstered by the magnetism of the leads, including the ever-charismatic Caleb Landry Jones who threatens to steal every scene he’s in, it’s a rollicking romp laden with sobering smarts and drunken R.E.M. karaoke. Review

Everybody Knows subtly draws the audience into its intimate drama, and brilliantly illustrates how simmering perennial grudges threaten to boil over in times of strife. Review

Often engaging but never exhilarating, Winterbottom’s meandering road movie never really settles into gear. Review

The somewhat unsubstantial source material is held together by two weighty yet tender leading turns, and the believability of Carell and Chalamet’s fractured father-and-son bond is enough to make the story worth watching. Review

The narrative achieves a satisfying balance between humour and melancholy, paying tribute with joyful re-enactments of their stage act but also shedding light on their behind-the-scenes showbiz struggles. Review

It’s grandiose, it’s theatrical, it’s downright dotty, and with a towering triad of winning performances at the helm, The Favourite is a sure thing. Review

Ronan has been victorious in proving herself again as one of the best performers of her generation. Review

A riveting and rampant thriller that carries heft in its subject matter, but also captures the intrigue and exhilaration of the heist genre. Review

It’s a directorial damning that’s delivered with deft deliberation and a darkly dry sense of humour. Review

Damien Chazelle directs with his usual passionate gusto and artistic flair, but the emotional elements of the story never really take off. Review

Has a fascinating premise and an all-star cast but falls foul to Ruben Fleischer’s directionless direction and a sub-standard script. Review

A charmless vanity project from Bradley Cooper that does little more than showcase the already globally established musical talent of Lady Gaga. Review

With a steady stream of embarrassing moments and spunk gags, this piece is very much in the throbbing vein that we’ve come to expect from Morris. Review

Boasting some of the best action scenes I’ve seen in as long as I can remember, this is a more than worthy entrant into the hugely successful series. Review

A thought-provoking, engaging film that will challenge and shock cinema-goers, and Ethan Hawke brilliantly immerses us into Toller’s increasingly disturbed psyche. Review

Brilliantly blithe and full of fun, encapsulating the insouciant essence of a holiday in the sun. Review