Edward Lawrenson
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Past articles by Edward:
'Matangi/Maya/MIA' – celebrating the many facets of a truly singular artist
A compelling and frank documentary tells the extraordinary story of Sri Lankan musical maverick Maya Arulpragasam → Read More
How very good was 1988 high-school black comedy Heathers?
It’s awkward to our post-Columbine sensibilities, but this hilarious, dark and weird cult teen movie shows why Winona Ryder was destined to be a star → Read More
With its semi-miraculous plot contrivances 'The Apparition' is beyond belief
A hard-bitten hack investigates a vision of the Virgin Mary. Vincent Lindon gives a wonderful performance, but this French drama is otherwise a test of faith → Read More
'Generation Wealth': A suitably overloaded look at lives of the super-rich
The grotesque spending of some of the world's wealthiest people comes with a heavy human price tag, finds photographer and filmmaker Lauren Greenfield → Read More
Losing his religion: Ethan Hawke excels as pained pastor in 'First Reformed'
Veteran American filmmaker Paul Schrader is in his 70s, and yet may have made his finest film. Just don't expect an easy watch → Read More
Lucrecia Martel’s 'Zama' is a llama llama ding dong well worth waiting for
The brilliant Argentine writer-director's first film in a decade is a dazzling and hallucinatory look at Spanish colonialism, with added llama → Read More
'120 Beats per Minute' is an Aids docudrama that doesn't waste a second
Robin Campillo’s glorious, sorrowful and heartstopping 120 Beats per Minute pulses with the energy of a pioneering generation of French Aids activists → Read More
Isle of Dogs, review – is it time Wes Anderson learned some new tricks?
The Royal Tenenbaums and Grand Budapest Hotel director chases a certain type of whimsical charm in his new animated adventure, but has that dog now had its day? → Read More
Punk, Icon, Activist: Never mind the Sex Pistols, here's Vivienne
There’s little room for nostalgia in a fascinating account of Vivienne Westwood’s ascent to the upper echelons of fashion. Even if it does get a bit Zoolander at times → Read More
The Square, review – is it hip to be satirising art world vapidity?
It’s too easy to mock the contemporary art scene and Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund’s latest bulldozes his message home without much finesse → Read More
You Were Never Really Here, review – Joaquin Phoenix nails hammer hitman act
A beefed-up Joaquin Phoenix dominates Lynne Ramsay’s bleak and uneven new film with the most muscular role of his career. → Read More
A Fantastic Woman, review – Oscar hopeful is a powerful portrait of prejudice
Her name is Marina – and you won’t forget her. Transgender actress Daniela Vega puts in a stunning turn in this Chilean film about standing tall in face of intolerance. → Read More
Dark River, review – dive into this murky Yorkshire drama at your own risk
When a woman returns to the family farm, her troubled past is clear. But despite the imposing backdrop, Clio Barnard’s drama is a tough watch → Read More
Lady Bird, review – the Oscars will be aflutter for this coming-of-age comedy
A brilliant Saoirse Ronan plays a headstrong teen with a painful penchant for grand gestures in Greta Gerwig’s fresh, feisty and funny directorial debut. → Read More
Loveless, review – an ominous portrait of neglect with precious little hope
A divorcing couple argue over custody of their young son in this grim Russian drama, the problem is neither of them wants him. The unsparing pessimism is hard going → Read More
Last Flag Flying, review – undemanding buddy movie flies at half-mast
Three Vietnam vets reunite for a tragic rail trip against the backdrop of the Iraq War. But Richard Linklater’s latest offering doesn’t quite stay on track → Read More
The Final Year, review – the adulatory Obama doc that didn't see Trump coming
With the spectre of his absolute nemesis on the horizon, this documentary about the final year of Obama’s administration plays out like an accidental disaster movie → Read More
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – Oscar tip fails to catch fire
Martin McDonagh’s latest film features towering performances from Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell – but doesn’t hang together as well as it should → Read More
Film: The Graduate at 50 – Mrs Robinson still shines
Celebrating the 1960s countercultural cinematic classic that first propelled Dustin Hoffman to fame. Some aspects remain more seductive than others... → Read More
Film review: Whitney – in search of the vulnerable star behind the huge voice
Nick Broomfield’s poignant documentary explores the demons and insecurities that stalked Whitney Houston. → Read More