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THIS WEEK’S BEST FILMS
married one of them in a drunken haze. But not only has he already left, she can’t get in touch with him as she can’t remember his name. When she later discovers she’s pregnant, Norval Jones (Eddie Bracken), a local boy who has been in love with Trudy for years and is ineligible for service on medical grounds, steps in to help.
About Time (2013) (5STAR, 9.00pm)
Shortly after he turns 21, Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) learns from his father (Bill Nighy) that he hails from a long line of male time travellers, who can go back along their own timeline to correct past mistakes. Slowly, Tim masters his new skill, which comes in handy when he crosses paths with Mary (Rachel McAdams) and bungles their first meeting. However, Tim gradually learns there are some imperfections that must never be smoothed. This is purportedly Richard Curtis’s final film in the director’s chair.
WEDNESDAY
The King’s Speech (2010) (BBC2, 9pm)
Bertie (Colin Firth), the younger son of King George V, suffers from a stammer that makes public speaking an ordeal. His wife Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) enlists eccentric Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) to help, but their sessions take on a new urgency when Edward VIII (Guy Pearce) abdicates and Bertie becomes king – and faces the prospect of addressing a country on the brink of war.
There’s a reason this film picked up four Oscars and was nominated for eight more. It’s a fascinating tale, expertly and movingly told.
Prisoners (2013) (Film4, 11.05pm)
Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) is distraught when his young daughter and the child of a family friend go missing over the Thanksgiving
reaches its climax as host Stephen Mangan invites the remaining three artists to attempt to capture the likeness of comedian, actor and political activist Eddie Izzard. Then, after this year’s winner is decided, cameras follow the triumphant artist as he or she completes a £10,000 commission to paint world-famous dancer and director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, Carlos Acosta, for a piece that will be exhibited at the Birmingham Art Gallery.
Christmas at Highclere Castle (C4, 9pm)
the bishop in the film’s title, who is feeling the strain of trying to raise the money to build a new cathedral. However, assistance is about to arrive in the form of a particularly debonair angel named Dudley (Cary Grant). The heavenly messenger thinks the cleric has his priorities wrong and should be concentrating on his family, but Dudley threatens to make the situation even worse when he starts falling for Henry’s wife (Loretta Young).
booked the viewing – “Mr Kipper”. Suzy was never found and the identity of Mr Kipper remains a mystery. The programme explores the dramatic twists and turns of the case across more than three decades and what went wrong with the original investigation. It also draws upon the police’s reinvestigation of the case, and follows the emergence of a prime suspect in Suzy’s murder.
THURSDAY
Nadiya’s American Adventure (BBC1, 8pm)
Nadiya Hussain concludes her short but sweet culinary journey with a visit to California, home to
An Education (2009) (BBC2, 12.30am) In Twickenham in 1961, 16-year-old schoolgirl Jenny (Carey Mulligan) meets handsome stranger David (Peter Sarsgaard) on the street and is flattered by the attentions of the older man. He gradually leads her astray with visits to late-night supper clubs and a trip to the country. As a consequence, Jenny’s grades slip and her teacher Miss Stubbs (Olivia Williams) fears her best student is throwing her future away. Based on a memoir by journalist Lynn Barber, An Education is a rites-of-passage story blessed with a touching and humorous script by Nick Hornby.
FRIDAY
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) (Film4, 3.15pm)
It just wouldn’t be Christmas without Frank Capra’s life-affirming 1946 fable. James Stewart stars as family man George Bailey, who is convinced his beloved wife Mary (Donna Reed) and four children would be better off without him. Poised to jump off a bridge in Bedford Falls, New York, George is rescued by guardian angel Clarence (Henry Travers). It’s A Wonderful Life is a perfect festive treat.
The Happy Prince (2018) (BBC2, 9pm)
Following his release from Reading Gaol, Oscar Wilde (Rupert Everett) is on the brink of financial ruin. His ex-wife Constance (Emily Watson) grants him a small allowance on the understanding he will sever all ties to Lord Alfred Douglas aka Bosie (Colin Morgan). However, Wilde cannot resist his self-serving paramour and his income is thus withheld. Good friends Reggie Turner (Colin Firth) and Robbie Ross (Edwin Thomas) try in vain to keep their pal out of the gutter, but passions outwit Wilde’s common sense.
one of the most diverse populations in the US. From Los Angeles to San Francisco, she will be meeting people who are passionate about bringing their Asian, Latin and Middle Eastern food culture to the States. Nadiya is invited to a Mexican quinceanera – an extravagant fiesta celebrating a girl’s 15th birthday – before cooking for an all-woman daredevil rodeo riding team and making handmade fortune cookies with a grandma in one of the last remaining workshops in San Fran’s Chinatown.
The Savoy at Christmas (STV, 9pm-10pm)
The recent run of docuseries The Savoy illustrated how one of the world’s most