Recent Hollywood heist films - typified by the Ocean's franchise - have been largely concerned with shiny surfaces, gloss and froth but British director Steve McQueen is much more interested in what lies beneath.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Recent Hollywood heist films - typified by the Ocean's franchise - have been largely concerned with shiny surfaces, gloss and froth but British director Steve McQueen is much more interested in what lies beneath.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Fassbender and Mulligan burn white hot in the central pairing, their emotional maelstrom magnetic even when no dialogue is used.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Fassbender and Mulligan burn white hot in the central pairing, their emotional maelstrom magnetic even when no dialogue is used.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Each scene builds on the next to illuminate the specifics as well as the universal quality of experiences.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

Each scene builds on the next to illuminate the specifics as well as the universal quality of experiences.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

The ease with which McQueen shifts the tone from very serious argument to light-hearted banter is sterling.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

The ease with which McQueen shifts the tone from very serious argument to light-hearted banter is sterling.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

The choreography by Coral Messam showcases the garments and limbs in movement.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

The choreography by Coral Messam showcases the garments and limbs in movement.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

Despite the filth, the violence and the desolation, McQueen’s portrait is a thing of brutal beauty in terms of its composition.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Despite the filth, the violence and the desolation, McQueen’s portrait is a thing of brutal beauty in terms of its composition.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

McQueen builds his scathing criticism of the 1970s British school system in layers. Resembling the 'beautiful spiral constellation of Andromeda' that set the little protagonist dreaming, the film returns to the diverging realities and tropes.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

McQueen builds his scathing criticism of the 1970s British school system in layers. Resembling the 'beautiful spiral constellation of Andromeda' that set the little protagonist dreaming, the film returns to the diverging realities and tropes.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

Cinematographer Shabier Kirchner miraculously positions us in the middle of the chaotic and dangerous atmosphere during the protest and is equally good at capturing intimate moments of anguish.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

Cinematographer Shabier Kirchner miraculously positions us in the middle of the chaotic and dangerous atmosphere during the protest and is equally good at capturing intimate moments of anguish.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

One of this year's must-see films, this is not simply a worthy tribute of a subject too often ignored by Hollywood; it's also a remarkable piece of cinema in its own right.

~ Jennie Kermode -

One of this year's must-see films, this is not simply a worthy tribute of a subject too often ignored by Hollywood; it's also a remarkable piece of cinema in its own right.

~ Jennie Kermode -