Monica

"Andrea Pallaoro finds a fresh angle on the trans experience" 

"Formally intriguing and genuinely gripping, 'Monica' avoids the usual cliches and contains many lovely performances and graceful moments. Even the most jaded moviegoers may be surprised by how much [it] moves them (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 4)" 

"A tender examination of the isolation that often comes with the trans experience, Pallaoro's film arrives as if it descended from the cosmos, just when we need it most" 

"Lysette has real presence, her regal beauty softened by an affecting sadness and stillness. But the film doesn’t dig deep enough beneath that surface of sultry melancholy" 

"Lysette’s lived experience as a trans woman, which mirrors that of her character, helps the actor deliver a powerful, internalised performance, flashing slivers of spirit amid the hurt and reticence and endless resilience" 

"It’s a tender portrait of familial reconnection in difficult circumstances, with terrific performances. Clarkson puts in a sensitive, characterful turn, with strong support from Joshua Close and Emily Browning" 

"It film fails to hold the audience’s attention, relying too heavily on things left unsaid and a soporific pace"