Tag Archives: Peter Straughan

Conclave review — Papal thriller both stuffy and surprising

October 25, 2024 flawintheiris

Directed by Edward Berger | Written by Peter Straughan based on a book by Robert Harris | 120 min | ▲▲▲△△ A capsule review of this film appeared on FITI in September during #TIFF24 Conclave is a handsome production where the expansive budget is all there on the screen in the locations, costumes, sets and… Read More

A Brief History of Spy Movies: Part Three

June 29, 2019 flawintheiris

THE LE CARRÉ ADAPTATIONS In the past two posts I review Harry Palmer movies and a dozen spy pictures from 1966 to 2006. This post is devoted to the film adaptations of the godfather of spy novels. Roger Ebert described John Le Carré’s novels as “chess problems in which one solution is elegant and all… Read More

The Snowman review — A watchable disaster

October 24, 2017 flawintheiris

Directed by Thomas Alfredson | Written by Peter Straughan, Hossein Amini, and Søren Sveistrup, based on a novel by Jo Nesbø | 119 min Are windows between bedrooms a thing in Norway? How about play rooms on commuter trains? And powerful industrialists who have subordinates find them sex slaves and present them in the back… Read More

Our Brand Is Crisis review — Confused Message Sinks Comedy

November 3, 2015 flawintheiris

Directed by David Gordon Green | Written by Peter Straughan from a documentary by Rachel Boynton | 107 min. Neither fish nor fowl, as they say, this is a political dramedy that features both Sandra Bullock vomiting into a wastepaper basket and discussions of how politics can eat away the soul. This struggle to sustain… Read More

Frank review — Quirky, original, and moving

November 6, 2014 flawintheiris

Directed by Lenny Abrahamson, written by Jon Ronson and Peter Straughan Frank is a strange little backstage comedy/drama on its surface. Underneath it's a solemn examination of damaged people inside a circle of attention and creativity. It's maybe got a dash of Almost Famous, but it's far more peculiar. You should know, a favourable comparison… Read More