“Her world is dominated by men in positions of power. However, as a woman who derives pleasure from being dominated, she flips this power structure on its head.”

“Iñárritu understands the value in allowing the story to speak for itself.”

“Admittedly some of the film's bite, its riskiness, has been muted by the end of the Cold War but it doesn’t take much to re-contextualize the film's brazen satire of personalities, politics and power.”

“I’d like to see more genre films take the risks with character that this does, viewing with such sympathy the flaws of its protagonists.”

Park up-ends the entire plot in a startling manner that feels like the director swiping his plans off the table eager to start all over again.

“The film has a way of gently laughing at its own characters, subtly reminiscent of the way family members might laugh at one another.”

I admire Van Sant's willingness to trust those working around him in crafting the film, and something about his care and affection for the directionless, confused and distantly traumatised high schoolers he makes his subjects is touching.

“Sorrentino never decides how we are supposed to feel about Berlusconi. If you were confused about him in real life, you'll find no help here.”