TV FILMS of the week
1IN
THE LOOP
Tonight, BBC2, 11.50pm
Effectively a feature length episode of the sitcom The Thick of
It, this satire sees communications chief Malcolm Tucker minimising the damage created by Simon Foster (Tom Hollander), the British Secretary of State for International Development. It seems that Simon has inadvertently set the country and its US allies on a course for war, something a few people want and others are determined to stop. Don’t worry if you’ve never seen the original programme because this sharp, funny indictment of political blather stands on its own. Peter Capaldi is brilliant as Malcolm Tucker, and Chris Addison (both pictured above) is great as his long-suffering junior Toby, but the American contingent do well too, especially the late James Gandolfini.
2ABSOLUTELY
FABULOUS: THE MOVIE Monday, BBC2, 11.30
A suitably daft but funny big screen outing sees PR doyenne Edina Monsoon (Jennifer Saunders) and best friend Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley, both left) go on the run after apparently killing Kate Moss accidently at a party. The film trades heavily on nostalgia for the TV series but there are some well-placed pokes in the ribs for current fads.
3ALAN
PARTRIDGE: ALPHA PAPA Tuesday, BBC2, 11.30pm
Steve Coogan returns as the hapless Norwichbased DJ (left). When the new owners of his radio station sack Alan’s fellow DJ Pat Farrell (Colm Meaney), Pat responds by taking hostages at gunpoint. The police enlist Alan as a negotiator, who soon sees a chance to turn the situation to his advantage.
4DAVID
BRENT: LIFE ON THE ROAD Wednesday, BBC2, 11.30pm
A feature film debut for Ricky Gervais’ iconic character. David Brent (Gervais, centre, left) now fancies himself as a rock star, so embarks on a cringe-inducing tour with his band Foregone Conclusion. This faux documentary is peppered with one-liners and comic brilliance that confirm Gervais as a master of unflattering observation.
5SPLIT
Thursday, Film 4, 11.05pm
The Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy plays one of three students kidnapped by misfit Kevin Crumb (James McAvoy, left) who spirits them away to a bunker. The hostages discover that Kevin exhibits 23 distinct personalities. Split is a tantalising thriller, which marks a return to form for writer-director M. Night Shyamalan.
6RAISING
ARIZONA
Friday, Sony Movies, 7.05pm
Nicolas Cage, left, is a hoot as Hi McDunnough, the repeat offender who falls for cop Ed (Holly Hunter). She is desperate to have a baby and when she can’t conceive, they decide to steal one. They feel that the local tycoon whose wife just gave birth to sextuplets has more than enough children. An early treat from the Coen Brothers.
7OLIVER!
Saturday, Channel 5, 3.30pm
Winner of six Oscars, Lionel Bart’s glorious British musical of Charles Dickens’ novel is a real treat. Young Jack Wild is a winning Artful Dodger, and Mark Lester (pictured with Wild) is the orphan looking for a place to live. With a host of classic sing-along numbers such as Consider Yourself, this is guaranteed to leave you wanting more.