10 Best Films 2018 – The Editor’s Selections
8. Leave No Trace
Debra Granik’s soft unravelling of contemporary capitalism in Leave No Trace delicately pointed the finger at us, the viewer, to get us to ask questions of our own greed and gluttony, to have us ponder over our own reliance upon excess for happiness and to ponder over our own nature to pursue the earth and all it gives.
Wrapped in the guise of a homeless father and daughter overcoming their own issues, Leave No Trace played out the reality of the modern version of the American’s pursuit of the wild west, openly aiming its barrel at the armed forces and their treatment of veterans along the way. This was a wholly American tale in almost every aspect, and one headlined by excellent performances from teenager Thomasin McKenzie and the always brilliant Ben Foster.
Recommended for you: 10 Best Films 2018 – Jason Lithgo
7. First Reformed
First Reformed seemed to come out of nowhere and grab every sinew of inspiration and thought it could get its hands on, providing us with a shockingly tense and violent experience that carefully walks the line between being utterly mesmerising and completely insane.
Ethan Hawke was a revelation and the construction of every frame so careful, calculated and particular. A truly beautiful visual journey bullet pointed by fantastic moments of artistic expression make for an unmissable release that offers way more than may seem the case from the trailer.
6. Disobedience
Like a quiet whisper in your ear, Disobedience heightens your senses and has you hanging on every word.
Directed by A Fantastic Woman (2017) director Sebastián Lelio, this all-female love affair between two Jewish Brits simply radiated affection, touching you on the shoulder as it questioned the widely accepted concepts of morality, hetero-normative lifestyles, acceptance and love in a surprisingly progressive and ultimately incredibly beautiful love story to remember. Though the screenplay may have at times relied too heavily upon cliche and melodrama, every element of the picture came together so beautifully in this picture that it was a truly moving experience and an undeniable entry to the Top 10 Films of 2018.
