The Herald - The Herald Magazine
THIS WEEK’S BEST FILMS
may sometimes feels more like a remake than a sequel, but the comic timing of Zellweger and Grant saves the day.
Disobedience (2017) (Film4, 9.00pm)
Argentinian director Sebastian
Lelio won an Academy Award for A Fantastic Woman and he remains rooted in matters of the female heart in Disobedience, which kindles forbidden romance in London’s Orthodox Jewish community. New York-based photographer Ronit Krushka (Rachel Weisz) flies home to the UK after the death of her estranged father. Childhood friend Dovid Kuperman (Alessandro Nivola) welcomes Ronit into his home shared with his dutiful wife, Esti (Rachel McAdams). The two women were secret lovers but Esti was persuaded by Rav to turn her back on her desires and marry Dovid. Living under the same roof, Ronit and Esti reignite their affair and risk the wrath of elders by flaunting their lust in public.
WEDNESDAY
Edward Scissorhands (1990) (Film4, 11am)
Tim Burton’s fairytale tells the story of an artificial man (Johnny Depp) befriended by Avon lady Dianne Weist and family. He falls in love with Winona Rider, falls foul of the local thug and becomes a hit with the locals after cutting hair and hedges with equal dexterity. A memorable, and very personal tale from one of Hollywood’s most gifted directors. An added bonus is a cameo from Vincent Price. Trivia fans may note that Depp spoke only 169 words in this 30-year-old classic.
Her (2013) (Channel 4, 1.55am)
Writer-director Spike Jonze’s haunting, heart-breaking romance takes our fascination with
the connection between obesity and inflammation and the role it is thought to have in almost every major disease and illness, and Michael’s wife, author Dr Clare Bailey, shares recipes and food tips that help to build and maintain muscle.
Harlots (BBC2, 9pm)
In the first of a double bill, Lucy is hired to spend a few days with Lord and Lady Repton, but they have peculiar tastes, while Margaret fears she may be reaping the reward of her public attack on Lydia Quigley. In the second edition, Margaret’s debts are mounting as Lydia’s campaigns against her and Florence’s religious tirades outside the brothel take a toll
Director Ridley’s Scott’s epic thriller recounts the true story of the rise and fall of Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), who created a drugs empire in 70s New York, where he controlled a large portion of the heroin trade. Rumoured to be raking in more than a million dollars a day at the height of his reign, Lucas infamously smuggled his wares into the US in the coffins of dead servicemen from Vietnam. American Gangster pits the real-life crime boss against Russell Crowe’s hothead detective, determined to clean up the streets and root out corruption in his own narcotics division. An excellent supporting cast includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Idris Elba and Cuba Gooding Jnr. reports of rape than ever before but conviction rates are at a record low. The return of the Bafta-nominated documentary series following the work of police, prosecutors and other law professionals focuses on the challenges of investigating this complex and devastating crime. The programme follows two cases as they move through the system, from the perspective of the police and the Crown Prosecution Service as well from the alleged victims.
The Life & Times of Captain Sir Tom (STV, 9.15pm)
It was a story that touched the hearts of millions. Captain Tom Moore, a humble ex-soldier from Yorkshire who, aged 99, wanted to raise a few quid for the NHS just by walking laps of his garden. And, as news crews descended on his home to film the great man, that few quid eventually turned into a phenomenal £30 million. Given that achievement, there is little wonder he was recently knighted by the Queen in a ceremony which left countless viewers more than a little teary. This documentary features the man himself, telling for the first time his life story and the key events in his 100 years – from his beginnings in Yorkshire to that incredible feat. Sir Tom speaks about his young life and the impact his grandfather, father, and his uncle had on him while he was growing up near Keighley.
Mandy (BBC2, 9.30pm)
Laughs have been in short supply over the past few months, so it’s good to see BBC Two helping to ease any Thursday night blues. Aside from Lee Mack’s new sitcom SemiDetatched, this double bill of shorts from Diane Morgan should help turn that frown upside down. In a sitcom she also wrote and directed, the Afterlife star plays Mandy Carter, a woman with big dreams – and today her dream is to find work. The only thing available to her is a job in a fruit-packing factory, where a big mallet will come in handy. Michelle Greenidge and Tom Basden lend a hand with the laughs.
In the second part, Mandy enters the local line-dancing endurance challenge, and finds herself up against an old rival. Maxine Peake guest stars.
Semi-Detached (BBC2, 10pm)
What happens if you mash together American real-time adventure serial 24 and British family sitcom Not Going Out? The answer is, SemiDetached, a half-hour comedy starring Lee Mack as hapless dad Stuart, which plays out over a chaotic 30 minutes of his life as he bumbles from one problem to another. Tonight, Stuart is late for a DJ-ing gig. The trouble is he has lost his music and so begins a desperate search for his MP3 device – only to stumble upon an angry daughter, a poorly cat and a dead body. Frances Barber, Ellie White, Patrick Baladi and Clive Russell co-star.
FRIDAY
The Gadget Show (C5, 7pm)
Remember 1999, when millions were worried that the millennium bug would wreak havoc, computers would crash and we’d wind up in some sort of electronic dark age? Well, thankfully all that was just a big fuss about nothing. In this week’s user-friendly show, Georgie Barrat heads back to 2000 and assesses that strange time of Y2K fear. Plus, the team equips a pair of backpackers with the latest gear; Ortis Deley goes off-road in Ukraine; and Jon Bentley reveals how to protect yourself from being hacked online. And if that’s not enough to pique your interest, Craig Charles turns on voice-activated home lighting and there are more money-saving tips from Harry Wallop. Given the amount of goodies on this week’s show, the latter is probably the most important feature of all.
Unreported World (C4, 7.30pm)
As Donald Trump fights for re-election, his campaign is targeting white women voters. Filmed prior to the coronavirus pandemic and the killing of George Floyd, Karishma Vyas travels to California to meet the “TradWives”, a growing movement of US women who idolise Donald Trump and who have put him at the heart of their anti-feminist, traditional family values as they work to get him re-elected. This is despite the fact that women have often borne the brunt of the President’s political and personal barbs.
Travel Man’s Greatest Trips: Arts and Crafts (C4, 8pm)
Richard Ayoade continues to delve into the Travel Man archive with a look at highlights themed around arts and crafts. Featured are a drawing tour of Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum with Joe Lycett and a visit to New York’s smallest museum, The Mmuseumm, with Katherine Ryan. Also, Richard and Morgana Robinson discuss their final dining choices stood before Da Vinci’s Last Supper in Milan, while the street art of Athens and Paris is appreciated by Dawn French and Mel Giedroyc, respectively.
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (Channel 4, 9pm)
Adam Buxton’s Ramble Book is one of the funniest and most moving of the year. Chances are you’ll be crying with laughter as he makes a welcome return to Dictionary Corner, where he will no doubt be reading more video comments, a little like his show Bug. Team captain Sean Lock will be welcoming This Country’s Daisy May Cooper, while Travel Man’s Richard Ayoade is joined by Ivo Graham. Susie Dent, Joe Wilkinson and
Rachel Riley also lend a hand with the laughs, while Jimmy Carr keeps order.
The Young Offenders (BBC1, 9.30pm)
Many folks who were hooked on Normal People earlier this year wondered what the “school debs” were and whether they had missed out on a major cultural event. (The fact Connor didn’t ask Marianne to the debs/prom in that show defied belief.) Anyway, back to this equally compelling saga and, with said celebrations on the horizon, Jock and Conor are looking forward to making it a great night for the girls. While Principal Walsh is intent on getting in their way, the maverick duo are determined to overcome the obstacles and make it a night to remember. As ever, Chris Walley and Alex Murphy head the cast as the tearaway heroes, while writer Peter Foott ensures there’s rarely a dull minute.