Reviews by Jane Fae

Order by: Date, A–Z

• 
  A Viable Candidate (2016)

  Review preview for A Viable Candidate

  A more compelling no-holds-barred insight into the racism at the heart of British society and the nature of power than many less talented filmmakers might achieve in a six episode drama.

  A man on the verge of becoming the UK's first black prime minister faces a difficult confrontation.
• 
  Venus (2017)

  Review preview for Venus

  Venus is delightful. Gentle. Lyrical. Funny.

  A transitioning woman discovers she has a teenage son.
• 
  War Dogs (2016)

  Review preview for War Dogs

  So while War Dogs includes elements of comedy, reviews describing it as “hilarious”, or pigeon-holing it as such are misleading.

  Based on a true story of two Florida friends who make a fortune as gun runners for the Americans in Afghanistan before the wheels come off.
• 
  The Wedding Invitation (2017)

  Review preview for The Wedding Invitation

  It is thoroughly endearing: a Jane Austen for modern times, exploring women and friendship in a way we rarely get to see on screen.

  Three women try to find dates for the wedding event of the year.
• 
  Warning (2021)

  Review preview for Warning

  Each story has to it a kernel of interestingness, some more than others. But I wasn’t convinced they all belonged in the same world.

  The meaning of life explored through multiple interconnected lives set in the near future.
• 
  The Watermelon Woman (1996)

  Review preview for The Watermelon Woman

  This film is well aware of its own limitations: knows it can only pose the questions here, while answers will take time and belong, perhaps, to later generations.

  A young black lesbian in Philadelphia tries to track down a once legendary actress.
• 
  Weekenders (2021)

  Review preview for Weekenders

  A sweet, cleverly written, under-stated souffle of a production.

  A scheduling mix-up at an Airbnb brings four twenty-somethings together, each navigating the open waters of where, how, and with whom they're supposed to be.
• 
  What Breaks The Ice (2020)

  Review preview for What Breaks The Ice

  This is a thoughtful film, an insightful film, exploring the highs – and lows – of intense female friendship.

  Two teenage girls who come from different worlds strike up a quick and deep friendship during summer break in 1998.
• 
  Where Justice Ends (2018)

  Review preview for Where Justice Ends

  This puts the lie absolutely to anyone claiming that being trans is the easy way out.

  A documentary looking at conditions within the US prison system and the injustices that befall transgender people encountering the law.
• 
  White As Snow (2019)

  Review preview for White As Snow

  There’s a lot of clever twists here, and plenty of knowing references to Snow White.

  Recasts the tale of Snow White as the story of a sheltered young woman’s sexual awakening in this racy feminist fable.
• 
  Wonder Woman (2017)

  Review preview for Wonder Woman

  Sometimes a film is more, much more, than the sum of its parts.

  An Amazon princess ventures into the outside world to try and end a war.
• 
  XY Chelsea (2019)

  Review preview for XY Chelsea

  We are left with the bare facts of Chelsea's actions and her elevation to iconic status, without any real perspective.

  Following the shock commutation of her sentence, whistleblower and trans woman Chelsea Manning prepares to leave an all-male military prison in Kansas and transition to living life for the first time as a free woman.
• 
  Your Name (2016)

  Review preview for Your Name

  This is a lovely, joyful film from writer/director Makoto Shinkai that will, alternately, make you smile and have you perched anxiously on the edge of your seat.

  Two high school kids who've never met - city boy Taki and country girl Mitsuha - are united through their dreams.