TV FILMS of the week

1

THE COMPANY YOU KEEP Tonight, BBC1, 11.20pm

Robert Redford, right, directs this thriller about 1960s radicals whose past catches up to them. Susan Sarandon stars as a housewife who, after 30 years of living under an assumed identity, turns herself into the FBI over her part in an ill-fated robbery. Her story prompts a young journalist (Shia Labeouf) to do some further digging, which leads him to discover that respected lawyer Jim (Redford) was also once part of the cell. Realising he is now a wanted man and a murder suspect, Jim goes on the run to find Mimi (Julie Christie), the woman who can clear his name. It’s thoughtful and well-acted by the great cast.

2

CAST AWAY Tomorrow, Channel 5, 3.55pm

Tom Hanks stars as Chuck who’s in a plane crash which leaves him stranded on a desert island. He’s forced to fight for survival, with only a basketball with a face painted on it for company. After four years he manages to construct a raft and another epic journey starts for him to get home. Hanks is the main reason to see this take on Robinson Crusoe, which makes for fascinating viewing.

3

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN Monday, Film4, 6.50pm

Denny (Milo Ventimiglia), left, is one of the best drivers around. He dreams of driving for Ferrari so when Denny chooses a puppy as a companion, it’s no surprise that he christens the dog in honour of the motor racing team’s founder. Enzo (voiced by Kevin Costner) watches as Denny accelerates to glory on the track. This drama knows how to wag the tail of animal lovers with canine cuteness.

4

OPHELIA Tuesday, BBC2, 12am

This drama rewrites Shakespeare’s Hamlet from the perspective of the female protagonist. Ophelia (Daisy Ridley, left) is taken under the wing of Queen Gertrude (Naomi Watts). She catches the eye of Prince Hamlet (George Mackay) but as he surrenders his sanity, strong personalities in the royal court compete for supremacy.

5

THE ROCK Wednesday, Channel 5, 10pm

A US General (Ed Harris) takes tourists hostage at Alcatraz prison, demanding the government pay compensation to families of Marines killed during covert operations. After he threatens to release chemical weapons, an FBI chemist (Nicolas Cage) recruits John Patrick Mason (Sean Connery, left), the only man to ever escape Alcatraz, to help.

6

BROOKLYN Thursday, BBC1, 11.40pm

Eilis (Saoirse Ronan) is a shrinking violet in 1950s Ireland. She secures a ticket to a brighter future in New York. While there Eilis sparks a romance with a plumber called Tony (Emory Cohen). The lovebirds marry, but when a tragedy forces Eilis to return home, Jim (Domhnall Gleeson) unexpectedly turns her head. Brooklyn combines elegant storytelling, strong performances and swoonsome visuals.

7

MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN Friday, ITV2, 5.50pm

In this musical sequel, Sophie Sheridan (Amanda Seyfried) anxiously prepares for the grand opening of Hotel Bella Donna. Thankfully, her mother’s best friends Tanya (Christine Baranski) and Rosie (Julie Walters) are on hand to calm Sophie’s nerves and encourage her to look to the past for strength. This film lays all of its Abba love on us and the addition of Cher, left, is a masterstroke.