How to write a film review in English (B1): based on, set in, directed by and a fair recommendation

A useful film review in English gives the production facts, judges the plot and one technical element with evidence, admits one fair weakness and names the audience the film suits. The facts use fixed patterns, several of them passive: “It is based on…”, “It is set in…”, “It was filmed in…”, “It is directed by…”. This B1 (intermediate) guide is for adults whose opinions about films stop at “It was really good.”

Who this is for

Intermediate adults who watch films and series in English but can only say “great” or “boring” about them.
Learners writing a review or a recommendation for a course, a film club or a blog, who need a structure as well as an opinion.
People who recommend things at work or to friends and want to sound fair, with one honest reservation instead of pure praise.
Too early: if you still find it hard to give a reason with because, start at A2 with a short invitation to a music event.
Too easy: if you already support every judgment with a scene or a technical detail, move to B2 and recommend a workplace music rule that changes with the task.

Open the sample pages

Word cards

It is based on…

Use this to identify source material or real events adapted by the film.

The documentary is based on interviews with retired railway workers.

It is set in…

This identifies the story's place and time.

The drama is set in Glasgow during a winter strike.

It was shot / filmed…

This identifies the real production location.

Although the story is set in Glasgow, it was filmed in Hull.

It is directed by… · It stars…

Use passive directed by for the director and active stars for leading actors.

It is directed by Amara Chen and stars Luis Ortega as a mechanic.

plays the part of…

Use this to name an actor's role.

Nadia Bell plays the part of an engineer protecting the archive.

It is dubbed into…

Name the target language after into; contrast this with subtitles displayed on screen.

It is dubbed into Spanish and has French subtitles.

Conversation

maya Tell me about a really good film you've seen recently.

owen I saw a low-budget drama called North Platform. It made me feel hopeful without becoming sentimental.

maya What is it based on, and where is it set?

owen It's based on several oral histories, and it's set in a railway town in 1984.

maya Who stars in it, and who is it directed by?

owen It stars Rina Das as a young signal operator and is directed by Joel Mercer.

maya What makes it worth seeing?

owen The plot develops patiently, the final decision feels earned, and the soundtrack uses actual workshop sounds as rhythm.

maya Would you rather see it at home or in a cinema?

owen In a cinema. The wide shots need a large screen, and the quiet soundtrack deserves good speakers.

maya Is there anything you would change?

owen One scene is too long, but I would still recommend it, especially with subtitles because some of the interviews are difficult to hear.

Language pattern

What must the review include?

Identify the film and premise; say what it is based on, where it is set, who directed it, and who stars in it; evaluate the plot and at least one technical element; include one limitation; recommend it to a specific audience.

A useful review combines factual description with supported evaluation.

although
especially effective
nevertheless
best seen

More practice

How a recommendation works

Recommendation: The Last Repair

The Last Repair is a thoughtful drama about a family-owned radio shop that is threatened by redevelopment. It is based on an unpublished memoir and is set in Manchester in the late 1990s, although most of it was shot in present-day Sheffield. The film is directed by Celia Grant and stars Arun Malik as Dev, a technician who avoids conflict until his apprentice discovers that the shop contains recordings of local historical importance.

The plot develops through small decisions rather than dramatic twists. This makes the final public meeting surprisingly tense because every earlier choice has a consequence. The soundtrack is especially effective: clicks, static, and fragments of old broadcasts are turned into music without making the dialogue difficult to hear. The supporting cast is convincing, and even the background customers feel like real people rather than decorative extras.

The middle section could have been shortened, and one disagreement is resolved too easily. Nevertheless, I would recommend the film to viewers who enjoy character-driven stories and local history. It is best seen on a large screen with its excellent subtitles, which identify sounds as well as speech.

Passive meaning and core tenses

present simple: am/is/are + participle

Use the present simple passive for routines, facts, and general processes.

Every interview is checked by a second editor.

present continuous: am/is/are being + participle

Use this form for a passive action in progress now or around now.

The subtitles are being corrected before the doors open.

past simple: was/were + participle

Use this form for a completed past passive event.

The final scene was filmed after the workshop closed.

past continuous: was/were being + participle

Use this form for a passive action that was in progress at a past time.

The sound was being tested when the projector restarted.

active or passive

Choose passive when the receiver or process is more important than the agent.

The damaged file was replaced; who replaced it is not important here.

by + agent

Add by plus the agent when the performer is relevant, surprising, or unknown to the listener.

The replacement soundtrack was mixed by Owen.

Write and defend your recommendation

What must the review include?

A useful review combines factual description with supported evaluation.

although
especially effective
nevertheless
best seen

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Production facts: based on, set in, filmed in, directed by

Learn these as whole phrases, and keep where the story happens apart from where the cameras were.

Based on: the book, events or interviews behind the film. “The documentary is based on interviews with retired railway workers.”
Set in: the story’s place and time. “The drama is set in Glasgow during a winter strike.”
Filmed in or shot in: the real location. “Although the story is set in Glasgow, it was filmed in Hull.”
Directed by and stars: “It is directed by Amara Chen and stars Luis Ortega as a mechanic.”
Dubbed into: new voices in another language, unlike subtitles. “It is dubbed into Spanish and has French subtitles.”

Why so many of these patterns are passive

A review keeps the film as the subject, so many facts are passive: be plus the past participle, with be in the right tense. Add by only when the name is useful.

Present, for facts that stay true: “It is based on an unpublished memoir and is set in Manchester in the late 1990s.”
Past, for production events: “Most of it was shot in present-day Sheffield.”
No by when the person is unknown or unimportant: “The final scene was filmed after the workshop closed.”

Evaluation with evidence: why, for whom, compared with what?

Amazing, nice and boring give the reader nothing to use. Support each judgment with something they could notice, such as a scene, the soundtrack or the camera work, and test it with three questions:

Why? “The music is nice.” becomes “The soundtrack is especially effective: clicks, static and old broadcasts are turned into music.”
Compared with what? “The story is good.” becomes “The plot develops through small decisions rather than dramatic twists.”
For whom? “Everyone will love it.” becomes “It is best for viewers who enjoy slow, character-driven dramas.”

A fair limitation and a clear recommendation

One honest weakness makes your praise easier to believe. State it, keep your overall view with but… still or nevertheless, then say who should watch the film. Listen to a viewer recommend a low-budget drama.

Maya What makes it worth seeing?

Owen The plot develops patiently, the final decision feels earned, and the soundtrack uses actual workshop sounds as rhythm.

Maya Is there anything you would change?

Owen One scene is too long, but I would still recommend it, especially with subtitles because some of the interviews are difficult to hear.

Plan a 140–180-word review

Write five short parts, then read it aloud and defend one judgment with a scene.

Overview: title, kind of film and premise. “The Last Repair is a thoughtful drama about a family-owned radio shop that is threatened by redevelopment.”
Facts: based on, set in, directed by, stars.
Evaluation: the plot and one technical element, with reasons.
One fair limitation.
Recommendation: who should watch it, and how.

Learn this unit your way

Common mistakes

Check your draft for these:

“The film is based in Glasgow.” A company is based in a city; a story is set in it.
“The film directed by Amara Chen.” A full sentence needs is: “The film is directed by Amara Chen.”
“It is starred by Arun Malik.” Star is active: “It stars Arun Malik as Dev.”
A summary with no opinion, or praise with no limitation.

Discussion: what makes a film worth seeing?

Answer each aloud for two minutes, with a reason and a real example.

“Do you prefer foreign films dubbed or with subtitles? Why?”
“Which films really need a cinema screen?”
“Should a review mention a weakness in a film the writer loved?”

A 10-minute daily practice routine

Use a film you saw recently and say each step aloud.

2 minutes: play the conversation and repeat the answers.
3 minutes: five facts with based on, set in, filmed in, directed by and stars.
3 minutes: two judgments, each improved with why, for whom or compared with what.
2 minutes: one limitation and one recommendation with nevertheless.

What comes next

The same order, facts first and judgments after, works for other B1 writing, such as a balanced post about phone notifications or a property proposal. At B2, recommend a workplace music rule that changes with the task.

Frequently asked questions

What should a film review include?

Production facts, an evaluation of the plot and one technical element with reasons, one fair limitation and a recommendation for a specific audience.

What is the difference between “set in” and “filmed in”?

Set in is where and when the story happens; filmed in is where the cameras really were: “Although the story is set in Glasgow, it was filmed in Hull.”

How do you mention a weakness in a positive review?

Name one weakness, then return to your overall view: “The middle section could have been shortened.” “Nevertheless, I would recommend it to viewers who enjoy character-driven stories.”