Why you can trust GamesRadar+
Echoes of John Cassavetes and Robert Altman abound in this muted chamber drama from US indie writer-director Ira Sachs. Set in the filmmaker's hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, it examines a love triangle between charismatic record producer Alan James (Rip Torn), his much younger Muscovite girlfriend Laura (Dina Korzun) and the patriarch's grown-up academic son Michael (Darren Burrows) from an earlier marriage. "I have a beautiful life, I don't have the right to complain," says Laura of her materially cosseted existence, yet 40 Shades Of Blue subtly reveals the solitude, fragility and hurt beneath her Dietrich-esque impassive facade. An atmospheric film of eclectic music, snatches of conversation and interior compositions that swirl around and entrap the credibly flawed characters; it's wonderfully acted by Korzun and Torn. Recommended.
NO VERDICT
The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine.

"I can promise my game will be significantly less than $80": Indie dev stunned by Kirby Air Riders Switch 2 reveal after working on their own Air Ride successor for months

Mario Kart World quietly fixes one of the series' longest-standing annoyances and I suspect I will get hit with 10% fewer red turtle shells because of it

Superman goes full sci-fi in DC's epic CinemaCon footage, showcasing a bloodied Man of Steel rising again