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Jane Freebury

Tomatometer-approved critic
Biography:

Cinema journalist for 30 years on many platforms, writing reviews and features. In print (The Jakarta Post, the former Australian Society magazine and Australian film journal Metro and currently The Canberra Times), on radio and a blog. I've taught screen studies at university, and my book on the intriguing Australian auteur director, Rolf de Heer, was published in 2015. A member of the Film Critics Circle of Australia since the 1990s.

Reviews

Movies TV Shows
The Secret Agent (2025) 98% 5/5 EDIT “A fine immersive and expansive political thriller, with a lead actor and director at the top of their game, that is a tribute to those 'disappeared' during the 1970s Brazilian dictatorship for activities deemed counter to its interests ” – Jane Freebury Jan 28, 2026 Full Review Nouvelle Vague (2025) 91% 4/5 EDIT “An ode to the joy and insouciance of the French New Wave that details how tyro auteur Jean-Luc Godard's improvised and broke the rules, pointing the way to making films with a personal vision” – Jane Freebury Jan 12, 2026 Full Review Sentimental Value (2025) 97% 5/5 EDIT “An intricate family portrait with terrific lead performances in which disparate moments, from the intense to the contemplative to the carefree, are thrillingly combined ” – Jane Freebury Dec 29, 2025 Full Review Bugonia (2025) 88% 4/5 EDIT “Homey ambience lurches into suburban noir then dabbles in science fiction, held together by bold mercurial direction, smart writing and two outstanding lead performances ” – Jane Freebury Nov 24, 2025 Full Review Two Prosecutors (2025) 95% 4/5 EDIT “An inside story, sinister and ironic, of a regime that ate its own” – Jane Freebury Nov 16, 2025 Full Review Kangaroo Island (2024) 3/5 EDIT “Affinity with the wild island sanctuary is strong while the family drama is less compelling” – Jane Freebury Oct 27, 2025 Full Review Merchant Ivory (2023) 96% 4/5 EDIT “A richly informative study of the filmmaking duo behind the lavish period dramas they became famous for, focussed on fine performances and underpinned by intelligent writing” – Jane Freebury Oct 14, 2025 Full Review National Theatre Live: Inter Alia (2025) 4/5 EDIT “A dense, provocative script and stunning central performance might not just resonate with audiences, it might shake them to their core” – Jane Freebury Oct 5, 2025 Full Review The Roses (2025) 64% 4/5 EDIT “A battle of the sexes for today with a brilliant satiric screenplay supported all the way with wonderful, relatable performances by all, especially th two lead actors” – Jane Freebury Sep 19, 2025 Full Review Splitsville (2025) 84% 2/5 EDIT “Only some modest rewards in watching this uneven comedy about two scruffy mid-age guys navigating the assertive young women in their lives” – Jane Freebury Sep 18, 2025 Full Review The Thursday Murder Club (2025) 77% 3/5 EDIT “Despite the dazzling stars in good form and the industry heft behind the production, it's only a moderately entertaining caper” – Jane Freebury Sep 13, 2025 Full Review The Ballad of Wallis Island (2025) 96% 3/5 EDIT “A spirit of gentle forebearance pervades this clunky, downbeat relationship comedy, featuring a lonely eccentric obsessed with bringing his fave folk-music duo back together again” – Jane Freebury Sep 1, 2025 Full Review Mr. Burton (2025) 89% 3/5 EDIT “Modest period drama about an inspirational teacher and his star student, that asks a question always worth asking, what makes a great actor?” – Jane Freebury Aug 22, 2025 Full Review Bank of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger (2025) 2/5 EDIT “This weak and under-developed follow-up to a robust original with lots of popular appeal, doesn't seem to do justice to the real-life story it is based on either” – Jane Freebury Aug 16, 2025 Full Review The Friend (2024) 84% 4/5 EDIT “A gentle tale with backbone that explores our need for emotional support and companionship, and why growing numbers of pets have become integral to our lives.” – Jane Freebury Aug 11, 2025 Full Review Holy Cow (2024) 98% 4/5 EDIT “Youthful mishaps and mistakes, and even outlandish ambition, get generous trreatment in this spirited and stylish film from the depths of rural France” – Jane Freebury Aug 1, 2025 Full Review The Divine Sarah Bernhardt (2024) 4/5 EDIT “A little poetic licence has its way in the end, but this is otherwise a lively, fascinating portrait of the celebrated actress who defied convention and led a remarkable life ” – Jane Freebury Jul 23, 2025 Full Review El 47 (2024) 100% 3/5 EDIT “A local hero who took a stand is at the centre of this gentle, stirring drama that's as modest in scope as it is timely” – Jane Freebury Jul 16, 2025 Full Review N'avoue jamais (2024) 4/5 EDIT “Cheeky, witty comedy that's keenly oibserved and delivers plenty of laughs, mostly at the expense of its stern, unbending patriarch” – Jane Freebury Jul 4, 2025 Full Review Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (2024) 82% 3/5 EDIT “It's always a good start when the romantic couple loathe each other from the get go, and it's no different in this frothy, charming rom com about a booksmart Parisian and an uptight Englishman” – Jane Freebury Jun 25, 2025 Full Review Materialists (2025) 77% 4/5 EDIT “An engaging romance deftly balanced with light comedy and social critique that doesn't shy away from making its points about the dating business of 'doing the math'” – The Canberra Times (Australia) Jun 17, 2025 Full Review The Phoenician Scheme (2025) 77% 4/5 EDIT “Another playful, whacky and meticulously constructed charmer with some sinew in the father-daughter dynamic that drives the narrative and fantastical vision of a larger-than-life figure, who makes a good fit for these times” – Jane Freebury Jun 7, 2025 Full Review Wilding (2023) 92% 3/5 EDIT “A bold environmental project that far exceeds expectations is inspiring and an important story to tell, while it needs a more rounded perspective on its downside” – Jane Freebury May 30, 2025 Full Review The Salt Path (2024) 85% 4/5 EDIT “A long journey around the coast is also a journey inwards, with actors at the top of their game, in this moving story of love, friendship and resolve” – Jane Freebury May 22, 2025 Full Review Monsieur Aznavour (2024) 3/5 EDIT “More attention on the creative qualities rather than on the steely resolve of the legendary French crooner would have done better service to this handsome, richly detailed portrait ” – Jane Freebury May 15, 2025 Full Review
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