Anthony Lane (born 1962) is a British film critic and journalist who has written widely on cinema and culture for decades. He is a regular contributor to The New Yorker, where his reviews and longer essays appear alongside those of other prominent critics such as David Denby. Lane's writing is read by both general readers and professionals for its combination of close attention to performance and craft with broad literary and historical allusion.
Early life and education
Lane was born in 1962 in London, England. He attended Sherborne School and later studied at Trinity College, Cambridge. His university training and early exposure to British letters helped shape a criticism that frequently draws on literature, theater and cultural history as well as film technique.
Career and contributions
Before establishing himself at an international magazine, Lane worked in British journalism and moved into feature-length criticism and cultural commentary. At The New Yorker he publishes capsule reviews of current releases as well as longer pieces that place films in broader artistic or social contexts. He has covered mainstream premieres, independent cinema and international films, and his work often reflects an interest in how films relate to other media and to public debates.
Style and critical approach
- Literate prose: Lane is known for elegant, allusive writing that treats criticism as a form of essaying rather than mere appraisal.
- Wit and voice: His reviews combine wry humor with serious evaluation, making them distinctive and frequently quoted.
- Contextual analysis: He situates individual films within larger artistic traditions, historical moments and cultural patterns.
- Balance: Lane can be appreciative of craft while remaining sharply critical when he judges a film wanting.
Readers value Lane for criticism that rewards close reading and repeat attention; his pieces often invite reflection on style, genre and the aims of filmmakers. While he is sometimes admired for his aphoristic lines, he is also criticized occasionally for archness or a tone that some find impatient; such reactions are part of the public conversation his pieces encourage.
Personal life and influence
Lane lives in Cambridge, England. He is in a long-term partnership with journalist Allison Pearson, and they have two children, Eveline and Thomas Lane. Over the years his essays and reviews have influenced how English-language criticism blends personality, literary reference and formal analysis, and his pages remain a regular stop for readers seeking thoughtful film criticism.
Although this summary does not catalogue every essay or review he has written, it sketches the principal features of Lane's work: a hybrid of criticism and literary commentary, delivered in a distinctive, conversationally authoritative voice that has made him one of the most widely read critics working in English.