Sun Sep 15 11:14:56 UTC 2024: ## This Week’s Film Reviews: From Social Discomfort to Holocaust Flatness

**This week’s film reviews offer a diverse selection, from a chilling thriller to a poignant Iranian romance and a disappointing biopic.**

**Speak No Evil** (directed by James Watkins) is a remake of a Danish thriller that explores the unsettling dynamics of two couples who meet on vacation. The film delivers a powerful sense of social discomfort, thanks to a masterful performance by James McAvoy as a gregarious bully who uses his friendliness as a weapon. The film culminates in a shocking act of violence, leaving audiences with more than a jolt.

**The Critic** (directed by Anand Tucker) stars Ian McKellen as a theatre critic facing career ruin. The film initially captures the vibrant world of West End theatre during the inter-war years, but unfortunately, the second half devolves into melodramatic murder, failing to maintain the initial intrigue.

**Leila** (directed by Maryam Moghaddam, Behtash Sanaeeha) is a touching Iranian film that follows an older woman’s unexpected romantic journey. The film explores themes of widowhood and political protest, offering a poignant and hopeful narrative.

**Lee** (directed by Ellen Kuras) is a biopic of Lee Miller, a renowned American photographer who transitioned from fashion to documenting the horrors of World War II. Despite a committed performance from Kate Winslet, the film fails to capture the essence of its subject, relying on a clunky screenplay and uninspired direction.

**Don’t miss these reviews and more in this week’s edition of The Irish Times.**

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