TV FILMS of the week

1

A STAR IS BORN Today, BBC2, 1.40pm

THE second version of the classic

Hollywood tale (it was remade again in 1976 and 2018) gave Judy Garland, pictured, one of her best roles as Esther Blodgett, a struggling singer who catches the eye of fading matinee idol Norman Maine (James Mason). He gets her a contact with a film studio – which renames her Vicki Lester – and her star is soon on the rise. However, the more successful she becomes, the more Norman struggles with alcoholism and his waning career. The leads don’t have the chemistry of Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in the most recent version, but they are both incredibly moving. The fact that, in reality, it was Garland who was self-destructing makes it all the more poignant. Her rendition of The Man Who Got Away is also an all-time classic.

2

ROAD TO PERDITION Tomorrow, Sony Movies, 9pm

SAM MENDES’ Oscar-winning film noir set in 1930s Chicago tells the story of a hit man (Tom Hanks, left) and his son who embark on a personal mission to first find and then exact their bloody revenge upon the men who slayed their family. This dark period chase drama boasts a stellar cast, including Jude Law and Paul Newman.

3

MARY MAGDALENE Tuesday, Film4, 11.15pm

THIS respectful account of the last days of Jesus is told from the view of his companion, Mary Magdalene. Rooney Mara is compelling as a very modern Mary, who undergoes a political and religious awakening as she forms a close relationship with Jesus, played as a shamanic saviour by Joaquin Phoenix, left, with Mara.

4

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY Wednesday, Channel 5, 10.25pm

EMMA THOMPSON, left, picked up an Oscar for Best Adapted screenplay for this wonderfully witty take on Jane Austen’s novel. Thompson also takes the role of Eleanor, the level-headed older sister of the more impulsive and outwardly emotional Marianne (Kate Winslet). The incredible supporting cast includes Alan Rickman.

5

THE THIRD MAN Thursday, BBC4, 9pm

CAROL REED’S masterful evocation of Graham Greene’s novel sees Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten, left with Alida Valli) arriving in Vienna to meet Harry Lime (Orson Welles), only to find him dead and his reputation besmirched. To clear his pal’s name, Holly intends to hunt down the elusive ‘third man’ spotted at the scene of the crime.

6

COLETTE Friday, BBC2, 10pm

KEIRA KNIGHTLEY, left, stars as French novelist Sidonie-Gabriella Colette, who challenged the supposed limitations of her gender in the early 20th century. After Colette documents her formative years on the page, her controlling husband (Dominic West) – takes credit for it. A lavish period drama with a fine cast.

7

BLACKKKLANSMAN Saturday, Channel 4, 9pm

SPIKE LEE’S film stars John David Washington, left, (son of Denzel) as Ron Stallworth, an AfricanAmerican cop in Colorado Springs who manages to infiltrate the local Ku Klux Klan, with the help of Jewish detective Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver). Based on a true story, this is a powerful and at times very funny drama.