Film choice

Houseboat (1958) FILM4, 2.45PM ★★★★

 Cary Grant and Sophia Loren are the lovers fighting the world in this sweet film by Melville Shalverson. After his wife’s death, Tom (Grant) returns to America from Europe to look after his three ill-tempered children. One runs away from home and is returned by Cinzia (Loren), a runaway from high society herself. Tom offers her a job, but finds that his relations dislike her. It’s a classic, tender romance against the odds.

Miss Potter (2006) AMC, 5.10PM ★★★

 Beatrix Potter has delighted generations of children with her tales, but this wistful biopic feels a little more like fantasy than truth. American actress Renée Zellweger puts on an English accent to play the Victorian writer and illustrator, struggling to find a publisher for her book about a mischievous little rabbit called Peter. When she does, love blossoms with the eager Norman Warne (Ewan Mcgregor). Emily Watson co-stars.

Lady Bird (2017) SKY CINEMA PREMIERE, 8.00PM ★★★★★

 Greta Gerwig based her directorial debut on her memories of growing up in Sacramento as a Catholic schoolgirl. Saoirse Ronan plays Christine, or “Lady Bird” (as she decides to call herself), fighting her meek and mild parents over her desire to escape to New York and hurl herself into the big wide world. Gerwig’s gorgeous, heartfelt film is about our domestic nests, and how difficult leaving them can be for both parents and child.