The Herald - The Herald Magazine
Films of the week A watery affair and the story behind Citizen Kane
BARRY DIDCOCK
production of Citizen Kane. If the film is new, the screenplay isn’t: it was written in the 1990s by Fincher’s late father, Jack, who also wrote the Howard Hughes biography on which Martin Scorsese based his 2004 biopic The Aviator.
Regarded by many critics for many years as the greatest film ever made, the mystique and myth-making around Citizen Kane and Welles is such that the cinematic wunderkind is popularly thought to have written, directed and starred almost without breaking sweat. Nobody doubts those last two achievements but it’s clear that most of the script was penned by journalist-turned-screenwriter Herman J Mankiewicz – or Mank as he was known. Fincher’s film, shot in sumptuous black and white, delves into Mank’s development of the screenplay, the ideas and events that influenced it and other aspects of Mank’s life, with many scenes told in flashbacks introduced by typewritten on-screen directions as if they themselves were from a script. It all looks great.
Gary Oldman plays Mank, once dubbed “the funniest man in New York” and a wise-cracking alcoholic when we first meet him in 1940. Tuppence Middleton is his wife Sara and a third Brit, Tom Burke, plays Welles. At 62, Oldman is nearly 20 years older than Mankiewicz was when he worked on Citizen Kane and, at 33, Tuppence Middleton is a decade younger than Sara was at the time.
Burke as Welles is a better fit – he has the voice down to a tee – and there are decent parts too for Arliss Howard as legendary studio boss Louis B Mayer, Tom Pelphrey as Joseph L Mankiewicz, Mank’s younger brother who would go on to direct films such as All About Eve, and Amanda Seyfried as sassy silent film star Marion Davies (also the mistress of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, on whom Welles’s Charles Foster Kane is mostly based).
Mank is admirable rather than engrossing and it helps immeasurably if you at least know your way around the story. If you’ve never seen Citizen Kane, Fincher’s homage to it creation won’t mean much beyond a series of fasttalking scenes featuring men in sharp suits shouting through megaphones and woman who either have to bite their tongues or give as good as they get.
Wolfwalkers (Cert PG).
On Apple TV+
In 1650, English forces, led by Lord Protector (voiced by Simon McBurney), occupy the city of Kilkenny. Superstitious locals live in fear of wolves that roam the nearby woods. The Lord Protector enlists hunter Bill Goodfellowe (Sean Bean) to exterminate the beasts.
Bill’s young daughter Robyn (Honor Kneafsey) yearns to hunt like her father but is consigned to the scullery of the Lord Protector’s house. But she sneaks out of the city and encounters a free spirit called Mebh MacTire (Eva Whittaker), who belongs to a fabled tribe of wolfwalkers.
When Mebh sleeps, her soul escapes her body in lupine form to wander the mortal realm. Alas, Mebh’s mother Moll (Maria Doyle Kennedy) is trapped in stasis because her wolf spirit has not returned. Robyn pledges to locate Moll and reunite the magical family.
Tenet (Cert 12).
On Amazon Prime Video/ BT TV Store/iTunes/Sky Store/TalkTalk TV Store and other download and streaming services, from Dec 21 on DVD £15.99/ Blu-ray £19.99/4K Ultra HD Blu-ray £24.99)
An operative known as the Protagonist (John David Washington) accepts an assignment with instructions to perform a secret hand gesture in conjunction with a palindromic code word: Tenet.
A Mobius strip of evidence leads the Protagonist and mission partner Neil (Robert Pattinson) down the rabbit hole of bullying Russian billionaire Andrei Sator (Sir Kenneth Branagh) and his wife (Elizabeth Debicki).
The Prom (Cert 12).
On Netflix
Indiana high school student Emma Nolan (Jo Ellen Pellman) wants to attend prom with her girlfriend Alyssa (Ariana DeBose).
Progressive principal Tom Hawkins (Keegan-Michael Key) is supportive of an inclusive event but Mrs Greene (Kerry Washington), influential head of the PTA, stirs up a hornet’s nest of protest, which results in prom being cancelled.
New York stage stars Dee Dee Allen (Meryl Streep) and Barry Glickman (James Corden) learn about Emma’s predicament and decide to boost their public profiles by travelling to Indiana to advocate for equality. But their plan backfires.
The Wilds.
On Amazon Prime Video Rachel Griffiths headlines a tantalising teen survival drama with echoes of Lost. A plane carrying teenage girls from disparate backgrounds suffers a catastrophic failure in mid-air and crashes into the sea.
Eight plucky survivors emerge from the twisted, sinking wreckage.
The girls seek shelter on a deserted island, clinging forlornly to the hope of rescue.
The survivors soon realise they must create a makeshift community to battle the unpredictable elements.
As they wrestle with adolescent angst in unfamiliar surroundings, the teenagers are painfully unaware their grim plight on the island is no accident.
It’s gentle, often a bit silly, a whole lot of fun – and even those who have never picked up a fishing rod, and have no intention of ever doing so, adore this programme as much as folk who love spending hours by a riverbank. The great news is a fourth series has already been commissioned and is heading our way next year. Before that, the best buddies have a festive treat for viewers - it’s also rather special for Bob Mortimer, because it takes him back to his roots in Middlesbrough. He and Paul Whitehouse spend time angling on the River Esk and Tees in the hope of catching an elusive grayling. Bob also tries to prove to Paul the spirit of Christmas really does still exist – and that could prove trickier than landing any fish.
Des O’Connor: The Ultimate Entertainer (STV, 9pm)
He was the butt of Morecambe and Wise’s
Narrated by Pharrell Williams, The Grinch is a charming computeranimated retelling of Dr Seuss’s seasonal fable.
The Godfather (1972) (BBC2, 10.10pm)
Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) presides over an influential Mafia clan, but his youngest son Michael (Al Pacino) claims to want nothing to do with his father’s criminal activities. However, when their father is admitted to hospital following an assassination attempt by a gangster who didn’t take kindly to Vito’s
jokes on many occasions but, as with most other things, he dealt with it with a smile. Des O’Connor always seemed such a happy person, and that joy at life was infectious, helping turn him into one of the nation’s bestloved celebrities. Many of us grew up watching him on TV, usually fronting his chat show in which his easy-going style won over an array of A-listers. So, when he passed away last month at the age of 88, it felt almost as if we’d lost a favourite uncle or friend. This documentary pays tribute to O’Connor by charting his rise to fame, from Butlin’s redcoat to prime-time TV presenter and chart-topping singer. Among those offering their opinions are Elaine Paige, Cliff Richard, Jimmy Tarbuck, Jay Leno,
The Christmas Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan (BBC2, 9.10pm)
The grumpy comedian is probably one of the few people to be pleased about lockdown – after all, it meant the BBC was unable send him to some far-flung place to enjoy immerse himself in the local culture. But Ranganathan does get out and about in this festive special, which sees him explore the Hebrides. He spends a week on the islands of Skye, Harris and Lewis in the company of a local crofter who reveals why residents have to fight hard to preserve the region’s distinct identity.
The South Bank Show (Sky Arts, 10.45pm)
In the last show of the current series, Melvyn
Bragg meets poet, playwright, and novelist Simon Armitage to discuss his colourful career. The West Yorkshire-born writer has been commended for his depictions of modern life and use of vernacular language which makes his work both accessible and revelatory. Armitage’s poems have been widely anthologised and in 2018 he was awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry, before being named Poet Laureate of Great Britain the following year.
MONDAY
Chef vs Corner Shop (C4, 5.30pm)
Although celebrity cooks would no doubt beg to differ, some viewers may have thought it’s fairly easy to create a spectacular dish when you have access to a range of exotic ingredients. However, this new series, presented by Chizzy Akudolu, sees a resident chef take on a different challenger each day to find out who can rustle up the best two-course menu with a budget of £10, using ingredients sourced from a corner shop. We begin in Somerset, where Dean Edwards is out to prove he can take on famous chefs and locals alike.
Food Unwrapped’s Festive Feast (C4, 8pm)
After the year we’ve just had, we all deserve a chance to eat, drink and be merry this Christmas, but how much do we know about the food gracing our dinner tables? Well, we’ll know a lot more after this episode, which sees Jimmy Doherty hosting a party at his farm. The guests will be bringing the gift of knowledge, as Amanda Byram exposes the surprising truth about turkey crowns, Kate Quilton uncovers the art of making the perfect Christmas cake, and Briony Williams investigates the classic starter, prawn cocktail.
The Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown (BBC1, 8.55pm)
As lockdown drags on, Geraldine really needs a haircut – in fact, she’s so desperate, she’ll even let a friend do it. Unfortunately, they are rather more used to working with animals, so the results may leave her wishing she’d just kept growing it. The vicar also get the chance to spend time with some of the children from the local primary school, and can hopefully use help them sort out which miracles were performed by Christ and which were the work of magicians Dynamo and Penn and Teller.
The Real Full Monty: On Ice (STV, 9pm)
When it comes to spotting coronavirus symptoms, many people have spent the past year being hyper-vigilant. But it’s still important we check our bodies for cancer – which is why a host of celebrities are braving the cold and performing a strip routine on the ice. The ladies are represented by Woman’s Hour legend Dame Jenni Murray, actress Linda Lusardi and Hayley Tamaddon, Love Island’s Shaunghna Phillips, and This Morning’s Dr Zoe. While baring all for the boys will be rugby star Gareth Thomas, actor Jamie Lomas, singer Jake Quickenden, jockey Bob Champion, Diversity’s Perri Kiehly and Love Island’s Chris Hughes.
All of them have been touched by cancer, but only half of them have skated before, so Ashley Banjo and Coleen Nolan really have their work cut out in the first of a two-part special.
Yellowstone (Paramount, 9pm)
In the second-season finale, unlikely partnerships, new enemies and disloyalty threaten to tear the Dutton family apart. Their feud with the Becks reaches boiling point as the Duttons organise a desperate plan to save Tate, and the Beck brothers execute their most daring scheme yet. Meanwhile, as Dan Jenkins forms an alliance with a group of nearby Native Americans, he finds himself under attack from would-be assassins. And Monica beseeches Kayce to murder those responsible for her son’s kidnapping. But how will her emotionally-charged wish affect her fate?
TUESDAY
The Great British Bake Off: The Winners (C4, 8pm)
Peter was recently crowned the 2020 winner in a particularly heart-warming final, but a two-part special is going back in time to celebrate the other bakers who have lifted the cake-stand trophy. We’re starting at the beginning with a celebration of the first five winners, including Edd and Nancy, one of the show’s most surprising champions. The episode relives their time in the tent, from their first challenges to their final showstopper, and reminds us of some of their highs – and lows.
MasterChef: The Professionals (BBC1, 9pm)
After five weeks on intense challenges, just six chefs remain as the competition reaches finals week. So, the pressure is definitely on as they are split into two groups of the three for their last Invention Tests. The first group must put their own spin on the classic rabbit in a mustard sauce, but their twist can’t involve leaving out the bunny – this test isn’t just about body and flavour, it also requires them to eliminate waste. The second group create a classic bouillabaisse, with a rouille and a crouton that must be hearty and elegant. In each group, the chef who serves the best dish goes straight into the final four – and moves one step closer to being crowned the winner. But the remaining four must fight for their place in the competition by showing off their pastry skills to make a dessert of dreams.
Christmas at Hampton Court (C5, 9pm)
Chief Curator Tracy Borman joins viewers for a behind-the-scenes look at the historic palace, exploring royal Christmas celebrations past and present. Some of Hampton Court’s traditions date back to the time of one of its most famous inhabitants, Henry VIII, including blessing the giant shire horses and bringing in the mistletoe from the Home Park. Other Tudor rituals that have endured to the present day include decking the halls in festive greenery, and there’s also an insight into the carol service in the Chapel Royal.
Great Speeches (BBC Four, 10pm)
Conservative MP Geoffrey Howe’s speech 12 days after his resignation from the government in 1990 is widely seen as pivotal in Margaret Thatcher’s downfall as Prime Minister. They had disagreed over the EU and he broke ranks after she had declared Britain would never join the euro. He described Thatcher’s attitude to
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weekend. His teenage son remembers seeing a suspicious RV parked down the road, so Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) and local police arrest the driver, Alex Jones (Paul Dano), who has the mental age of a 10-year-old. Without evidence to link him to the crime, police let their prime suspect go. So, Keller kidnaps Alex at gunpoint and holds the young man hostage.
THURSDAY
The Bishop’s Wife (1947) (BBC2, 2.30pm)
David Niven stars as Henry,
Victorian house has become a star in its own right. As guests of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, viewers will discover what life is like at the real Downton during Christmas and meet the small, dedicated team tasked with creating seasonal cheer in the castle. It’s a race against time to get everything prepared in time to welcome small groups of guests for guided tours and tea.
The Vanishing of Suzy Lamplugh (C5, 9pm)
In July 1986, estate agent Suzy Lamplugh vanished after arranging an appointment for a house viewing in Fulham. In her diary, she had written the name of the person who had