rob edwards

Weirdly, I have just watched this on the BBC i Player, and today binge watched Mix Tape on the same platform. The underlying storylines are basically the same, the loss of first intense love, and the impact and repercussions that this has on life going forward. Doubtless the romantic inside of us will relate to both, and indeed we all dream of the happy ending, yet the realist in us will more likely relate to the nuanced ending of Past Lives. As many allude to, the last few frames are indeed heart wrenching, but in so many different ways for all concerned. A hidden gem of a film, and one wonders why the schedulers assume that prime time slots should be given to sci fi blockbusters and their cgi special effects rather than cinematic pieces which demonstrate great performances and a wonderful scipt

For a generation brought up on the 'flashing blade' - there is nothing like a good french swash buckler, and it's that time again. after Le Bossu and the Horseman on the rooftops, the genre is enjoying another revival after the recent Three Musketeers. The cinema is certainly the best place to see it, and it is engrossing , glorious scenery (takes you back to Manon de Source). And subtitles -Lord Halifax apart - means you actually concentrate on the tale. Great acting, classic tale, and minimal special effects mean a return to good old fashioned story telling. And three hours mean you get your money's worth - no intermission - so skip the drinks? Enjoy (Le Bossu still gets 5 stars for me - alongside a couple of Depardieu swashbucklers before he was cancelled)

great story, great acting and great production values. So true and so unpredictable - makes the sopranos look like minder in comparison. Nothing gratuitous, but you are left in no doubt as to the dangers attaching whichever side of the law you existed on. Wow!