Tiny Reviews Department: "Decision to Leave", "Top Gun: Maverick", "Good Luck to You, Leo Grande" and "Where the Crawdads Sing"

• DECISION TO LEAVE

Park Chan-wook sets a hugely intriguing (and romantic) crime puzzle that's both entertaining and absorving. Stylish yet it never sacrifices its narrative maze that comes full circle once you enter the third act - here, you can see a director in full control of his craft and directorial signature. Amazing editing work from Kim Sang-bum and Jo Yeong-wook's score is emotionally ressonant . Tang Wei is magnetic - she casts a spell since the first time you see her on-screen - while Park Hae-il makes for an engaging and sympathetic hero (yet a flawed man). Decision to Leave elevates the romantic whodunit genre and sets the bar really high in the international filmmaking field. Still, it is not Park Chan-wook's masterpiece: that title still belongs to the beautiful (and thrilling) The Handmaiden (2016), but Decision to Leaves ranks right after that one.

One of the best films you will see all year!

RATING: 9 / 10

• TOP GUN: MAVERICK

A sequel to 1986's cinematic phenomenon, Top Gun: Maverick reaches more ambitious (and satisfying) heights than its predecessor. The narrative is more engaging and its emotional stakes feel way more grounded and honest -  which makes for a better plot, with a better screenplay. Tom Cruise proves he will always be a true movie star and delivers a classy turn here as the hero fallen from grace. In fact, I believe it is Cruise's best performance since The Last Samurai (2003) and Top Gun: Maverick seems to be to Tom Cruise what The Color of Money (also from Top Gun's year 1986) was to Paul Newman back in that time: the reprise of a signature role with all the dignity from the aged star. The ensemble cast delivers an "okay" performance, with no one to be singled-out... it is Cruise's show! Technically, it features the best sound, editing and visual effects of the year so far and both "I Ain't Worried" by One Republic and "Hold My Hand" by Lady Gaga make for memorable tunes you will always relate to Maverick. In spite of being a huge improvement from the first installment and an way above-average blockbuster, Top Gun: Maverick is not the best movie of the year (unlike box-office numbers might suggest), but it is a hugely entertaining one that pays respect to the source material without relying too much on nostalgia.

RATING: 7,5 / 10

• GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE

The tale of the retired teacher who never had an orgasm and the sex worker who peels the eroticism around her fantasies - Good Luck to You, Leo Grande might sound just like one more sex-positive sex-comedy, but it elevates itself by exploring the complexity of the human urges and the humanity that often comes underneath. A great script is overshadowed by two great performances: Daryl McCormack is a revelation and he present us with a layered performance in a tricky role that could be reduced to the "sexy young man" stereotype; and Emma Thompson shines in what might well be her best acting turn since Sense & Sensibility with one of the most vulnerable characters she was ever presented to work with. The dynamics between both leads works as a tennis match and that's what keeps the movie engaging till the very end. Let's be honest: we've all already seen this movie about an older woman living a sexual awakening, but none of them had McCormack and Thompson. I finish my review here by saying: it's a very sexy movie and I want Thompson to be showered with awards.

RATING: 7 / 10

• WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING

Almost breathtaking visuals of rural North Carolina and a great performance from Daisy Edgar-Jones can't sell the narrative of Where the Crawdads Sing. I must confess I don't know the source material (I haven't read the novel, YET) and I'm aware the novel's fans are pleased with this cinematic adaptation, but I consider it a too-glamourized take on what seems to be a muddy and raw source material. Ultimately I guess the movie fails to me not only because of a basic script, but due to an uninspired directing work by Olivia Newman. Everything looks so polished. Everyone is so tidy. I feel like this is a compilation of Instagram Reels since it fails to go deep on the character study of Kya, despite the huge talents and the best efforts of Edgar-Jones. In fact, Daisy Edgar-Jones is the reason to watch Where the Crawdads Sing thanks to an impressive acting turn that elevates the movie and carries the audience to the last scene, but she can't help saving it from being another bland novel-to-movie adaptation - the young actress seems poised to become a true movie star if she makes the right career choices. This movie could be an engaging thriller... but it isn't. Plus, Taylor Swift's song "Carolina" is lovely and we should thank the movie was made so she could compose it.

RATING: 4,5 / 10