7 TV FILMS OF THE WEEK
1
ABOUT TIME
Today, Channel 5, 4.35pm
BITTERSWEET rom-com written and directed by Richard Curtis. Shortly after he turns 21, nice guy 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 and relive fond memories. Slowly, Tim masters his new skill, which comes in very handy when he crosses paths with an insecure beauty called Mary (Rachel McAdams) and bungles their first meeting. However, every correction risks ripples through time and Tim gradually learns there are some imperfections which must never be smoothed.
2
DARK RIVER
Tomorrow, Film4, 11.15pm
GRITTY drama. Alice (Ruth Wilson) left home years ago, after being left emotionally scarred by her father. When she learns her father has died and the family farm is on the verge of ruin, Alice returns and prepares to apply for sole tenancy of the business. She clashes with her brother Joe (Mark Stanley, pictured with Wilson), who cared for their father and resents Alice after her years away.
3
DEPARTURE
Tuesday, Film4, 11.45pm
SENSITIVELY handled drama. Beatrice (Juliet Stevenson) and her 15-year-old only child Elliot (Alex Lawther, pictured) arrive at their French holiday home for the final time. The relationship between Beatrice and her husband has deteriorated beyond repair and the family is selling up. In the midst of this turmoil, Elliot develops a crush on local boy Clement (Phenix Brossard).
4
KILL BILL: VOLUME 2 Wednesday, 5STAR, 11.10pm
RETIRED assassin the Bride (Uma Thurman, right) is out for revenge on the former colleagues who left her for dead on her wedding day. She bumped off two of the squad in the first film, but she’s still keen to punish the eye-patch wearing Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah) and her mysterious mentor, Bill (David Carradine). It’s not quite as action-packed as the first instalment, but it’s still a thrilling movie.
5
NORTH BY NORTHWEST Thursday, BBC4, 8pm
ADVENTURE starring Cary Grant as an advertising exec who is mistaken for a US intelligence agent by foreign thugs and drawn into all sorts of action. James Mason, Eva Marie Saint (pictured with Grant) and Martin Landau co-star in this legendary thriller. Memorable set pieces in Alfred Hitchcock’s film include Grant’s escape from a crop-duster plane and an edge-of-the-seat fight on Mount Rushmore.
6
THE DAM BUSTERS Friday, Film4, 12.35pm
SECOND World War movie starring Richard Todd as Wing Commander Guy Gibson, a skilled pilot ordered to assemble a crack squadron of fliers for a top-secret mission. After weeks of training, they will drop a new explosive designed to destroy three German dams. Michael Redgrave, pictured, is on fine form as Barnes Wallis, the man who created the bouncing bomb at the heart of the story.
7
12 YEARS A SLAVE Saturday, Channel 4, 9pm
SOLOMON NORTHUP (Chiwetel Ejiofor, pictured) lives with his family in 1841 Washington City. After a meeting with two seemingly respectable gentlemen, he is sold into slavery. Fate delivers Solomon to sadistic Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender), who spites his unfeeling wife (Sarah Paulson) by taking a shine to a slave girl (Lupita Nyong’o), and Solomon is caught in the crossfire.