The Lesson (2023)

"An exquisite sun-drenched noir."

"A watchable, polished, undemanding and vaguely familiar package."

"A diverting chamber piece that doesn't shy from some recycled ideas."

"A stellar cast adds nuance to a familiar mystery setup."

"Sharp literary drama curdles into melodramatic mush."

"Its cast all keep it afloat, but only just."

"Grant is magnificent... and Delpy — well, can any actor express so much with a single, withering look?"

"A tightly crafted film made by and for adults unafraid of some rhododendron metaphors and casual Tchaikovsky talk."

"Formulaic and forgettable."

"A wash."

"Richard E. Grant’s stellar performance as an aloof author and father rescues this drama."

"As pleasingly undemanding as a typical summer read."

"I was very on board with this until I realised, "Oh, you're going to go the place I thought you were going all along, but very slowly.""

"Amusing but contrived."

"It’s an unfortunate irony, given that the story hinges on unkind remarks about other people’s writing, but the snag is the script."

"Doesn’t leap off the page."

"Richard E Grant is enjoyably sinister."

"A movie that loves its actors and bounces buoyantly from scene to scene on the thrilling chemistry they provide."

"Overheated, overly theatrical."