Reviews by Symon Parsons

Order by: Date, A–Z

• 
  A Time For Drunken Horses (2000)

  Review preview for A Time For Drunken Horses

  The performances from the children are nothing short of extraordinary.

  A young Kurdish boy must support his family in Northern Iran.
• 
  The Talented Mr Ripley (1999)

  Review preview for The Talented Mr Ripley

  The sort of film that makes you grateful for adjectives like 'interminable'.

  A young man with a talent for mimicry is sent to Europe to track down a playboy... but soon finds another agenda.
• 
  Traffic (2000)

  Review preview for Traffic

  When I came out of the film, everyone was discussing how clever it was - but I got the feeling that no one really CARED.

  Multi-layered drama of drug trafficking in Mexico and the efforts of American undercover cops to curtail it.
• 
  Trainspotting (1996)

  Review preview for Trainspotting

  A brash, stylish piece, bursting with energy.

  Black comic drama about the Edinburgh drugs scene. On re-release.
• 
  U-571 (2000)

  Review preview for U-571

  While Mostow creates an engrossing atmosphere and highlights the intriguing world of WWII submarines, an unbelievable plot and one-dimensional characters detract from the film.

  American sailors attempt to capture a code machine from a German U-Boat.
• 
  Virgin Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors (2000)

  Review preview for Virgin Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors

  An interesting experiment that ultimately irritates.

  Sex and romance in Seoul.
• 
  Volver (2006)

  Review preview for Volver

  A screwball comedy with soul, drama and even a song.

  A dead woman returns home in spirit to comfort her daughters.
• 
  Woman With Red Hair (1979)

  Review preview for Woman With Red Hair

  Within this genre, I'm sure Woman With Red Hair is a stunning achievement, but as an exploration of human relations, it is uninteresting, plodding and deeply unpleasant.

  A casual pick-up leads to an abusive affair between a construction worker and a redheaded woman.
• 
  X-Men (2000)

  Review preview for X-Men

  I'm afraid this can't leap buildings in a single bound, no matter what the hype says.

  Mutants face a tough time in comic book film spin off.