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THE JOURNEY

True-life drama. This is a charming rendition of a remarkable true story about a car journey taken in October 2006 by two Irish politicians, Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall) and Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney), who are at opposite ends of the political spectrum.

It tells an imagined account of what happened and how they finally broke the ice and started peace negotiations to end decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

It’s not for everyone – it’s very much an Irish/ British affair and tends to romanticise history – but gentle humour and great acting from Spall, Meaney, Freddie Highmore (The Good Doctor) and the late John Hurt win the day. 2016. 90 MIN. 10-12PG L. ALSO OUT ON DVD.

BRAD’S STATUS

Comedy drama. While taking his piano-prodigy son (Austin Abrams) on a trip to pick a university, fortysomething Brad (Ben Stiller) – who has an unglamorous job at a non-profit organisation – experiences an existential crisis as he measures his achievements against those of his old university friends, who’ve all gone on to become rich, famous and happy – or so Brad believes.

Stiller is excellent, managing to make Brad simultaneously charming and likeable but also neurotic, brooding and confused, and the script, direction and soundtrack are a treat.

Not always a comfortable watch but a brilliant film nonetheless. – 2017. 101 MIN. 16DL. ALSO OUT ON DVD.