Top films to watch on TV this week
WEDNESDAY
Moonlight (2016) Film4, 9p.m. Twelve-year-old Chiron (Alex Hibbert) is one of the smallest boys in his year and an obvious target for bullies. Any beatings pale next to the pain inflicted by his mother Paula (Naomie Harris), who is a slave to her drug habit. Her neglect drives Chiron into the arms of Paula’s dealer, Juan (Mahershala Ali), and his girlfriend Teresa (Janelle Monae), who try to provide a stable home environment as the lad contends with growing pains.
Chiron grows into an awkward 16-yearold (now played by Ashton Sanders) and recognises his attraction to best friend Kevin (Jharrel Jerome). Many years later, Chiron (now played by Trevante Rhodes) and Kevin (now played by Andre Holland) are reunited.
Writer-director Barry Jenkins’ Oscar-winning drama is an extraordinary film of naked emotion, broken dreams and deep longing.
THURSDAY
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) Film4, 9p.m.
Posh English Charles (Hugh Grant) seems destined always to be the best man at weddings and never the groom. However, he finally finds the stirrings of true romance after a one-night stand with beautiful American Carrie (Andie MacDowell). After going their separate ways, he realises he wants to be with her - but fate seems to intervene at every turn.
The first collaboration between writer-director Richard Curtis and Grant was the movie that put them both on the map. This hilarious romantic comedy makes full use of Grant’s natural charm and boasts a superb cast giving their best. In fact, the only weak link might be MacDowell, especially when compared with Kristin Scott Thomas’s acerbic Fiona.
FRIDAY
Election (1999) BBC1, 11.15p.m. Over-achieving, unstoppably enthusiastic high-school student Tracy Flick announces she’s running for class president - an idea that fills teacher Jim McAllister with dread.
So, in a bid to halt her seemingly inevitable rise to victory, he convinces dim-but-popular athlete Paul to stand against her. However, when Paul’s rebellious sister decides to throw her hat into the ring as well, Jim’s plot begins to spiral out of control.
Director Alexander Payne pulls off a sharp, dark comedy that takes a satirical look at more than just high-school politics. Viewers of a certain age will find the sight of Matthew Broderick (aka quintessential cocky Eighties teen Ferris Bueller) playing a crumpled teacher especially poignant, but it’s Reese Witherspoon who runs away with the movie - she pulls off the difficult trick of making Tracy seem terrifying and oddly vulnerable at the same time.
SUNDAY
Dirty Dancing (1987) Channel 5, 6p.m.
Can it really be more than three decades since Patrick Swayze’s hip-swivelling hero first uttered the immortal line, ‘Nobody puts Baby in a corner’? Time flies but the charm and simmering sensuality of Dirty Dancing endures.
Jennifer Grey plays the idealistic teenager Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman, who goes to a summer camp with her well-heeled parents (Jerry Orbach, Kelly Bishop). When resident dance instructor Johnny Castle (Swayze) needs someone to fill in for his partner (Cynthia Rhodes, whose storyline proves that Dirty Dancing isn’t as fluffy as some people remember), Baby steps in and is soon receiving lessons in love as well as lifts.
The great, if often very 1980s-sounding for a film set in the 1960s, soundtrack includes the Oscar-winning (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.
MONDAY
About a Boy (2002) 5STAR, 9p.m. Thirtysomething slacker Will Lightman (Hugh Grant) invents a child in order to meet single mums.
However, his scheme goes awry when he’s introduced to 12-year-old Marcus (Nicholas Hoult), whose mother Fiona (Toni Collette) is battling depression, and the lad decides they are going to be friends - whether Will likes it or not. The relationship helps Will to discover his paternal side, and to see the error of his ways, finally appreciating the hefty responsibilities which he has shirked for so many years in Paul and
Chris Weisz’s delightful comedy drama adapted from Nick Hornby’s best-seller. Grant stretches himself in the lead role, proving he is capable of so much more than dry-witted bumbling bachelors, and Hoult is terrific in an early screen role.