Without the heroine-centred, questlike focus of Mr Faulks's romantic narrative, Mr Binding is able to move freely among a variety of characters, up and down the social scale and across both sides, keeping his eyes on the actualities of power and collusion, and letting the grand implications speak for themselves.

ECONOMIST: Exiles from history

"Once" may earn the same special status by doing something similar, albeit on a more intimate scale -- using pop-rock songs to shape its characters' ecstatic feelings.

WSJ: Film Review

Blending fiction with documentary, interviewing several retired workers and scripting faux interviews with other characters, he brings huge stretches of long-repressed history to life on an intimate scale.

NEWYORKER: 24 City