It has been a really exciting year for cinema, with a variety of great releases, from blockbusters to independent films to exports from overseas. The following list is compiled of what I believe to be the best films released in UK cinemas this year.
Sorry, Baby – Directed by Eva Victor
This directorial debut seamlessly blends comedy and emotional beats in an understated story that packs a huge punch. Victor refuses to let the tired conventions of typical ‘woman experiences trauma’ stories box her in, instead creating an honest script that brings a fresh and nuanced approach to the female led drama genre. This film revels in the beauty of supportive friendships and holds a quiet truthfulness that is somehow both comforting and devastating.
The Phoenician Scheme – Directed by Wes Anderson
Dare I say his silliest yet? Despite being a big Wes Anderson fan, I hadn’t expected to particularly like this one after seeing the trailer. Never have I been so pleased to misjudge a film. It combines the intense, relentless visual artistry Anderson is known for, but refuses to take itself too seriously, instead prioritising its comic elements. This whimsical adventure, full of robberies and plane crashes, never loses the heart at its centre, with warm emotional depth driving the story. The huge cast delivers stellar performances and the film’s visual identity never wavers. Anderson is on top form.
Marty Supreme – Directed by Josh Safdie
Marty Mauser is a selfish, compulsive and obnoxious protagonist. He knows what he wants and will do whatever it takes to get it. This unrelenting, claustrophobic adventure will drag you along as Marty lies and steals in the name of achieving his goal of being the best ping pong player in the world, regardless of who he hurts in the process. Yet, the performance by Chalamet feels so sincere and desperate that you can’t help but root for his dedication. This crowd pleaser is Safdie’s biggest picture yet and Chalamet’s commitment to marketing has yielded success, encouraging people back into cinemas and breaking box office records with the highest domestic opening of any A24 film to date.
Sentimental Value – Directed by Joachim Trier
After the success of The Worst Person In The World, Joachim Trier works with Renate Reinsve again, this time in an intimate portrait of a family on the brink of collapse, pulled back together by the home they grew up in. Despite being a love letter to cinema, authentic art and the bond between sisters, it refuses to shy away from the painful effects of parental neglect. The cinematography is consistently precise and beautiful; the world practically glistens in some scenes. Sentimental Value poses the question: can we only ever be what our parents make us?
It Was Just An Accident – Directed by Jafar Panahi
Set over the course of thirty-six hours, this thriller is an eerie descent into a nightmare. When a mechanic (a former political prisoner) recognises the sound of his torturer’s prosthetic leg, he decides to do whatever he must to get justice, that is until doubt begins to creep in. The film relishes ambiguity, using it as a tool to ask questions of morality and the nature of truth. The political setting depicts a harrowing reflection of the modern Islamic Republic in Iran and reflects the effects that authoritarianism, corruption and social trauma can have on a country. Having been imprisoned himself on the charge of propaganda against the Republic, director Jafar Panahi presents the necessity of the narrative in an emotionally immersive way.
The Badger Also Recommends:
Plain Clothes – Directed by Carmen Emmi
Sinners – Directed by Ryan Coogler
Warfare – Directed by Ray Mendoza & Alex Garland
The Ballad Of Wallis Island – Directed by James Griffiths
The Mastermind– Directed by Kelly Reichardt
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