Top films to watch on TV this week
WEDNESDAY
Brooklyn (2015) BBC3, 7.50p.m.
Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) is a shrinking violet in 1950s Ireland. Thanks to her older sister Rose (Fiona Glascott), Eilis secures a one-way ticket to a brighter future in New York. Holy man Father Flood (Jim Broadbent) places her at a boarding house for single girls run by Mrs Keogh (Julie Walters).
Eilis’ homesickness gradually fades and she sparks a tender romance with a handsome plumber called Tony (Emory Cohen). The lovebirds marry in secret, but when a tragedy forces Eilis to return home to Enniscorthy, local boy Jim Farrell (Domhnall Gleeson) unexpectedly turns her head.
Adapted for the screen by Nick Hornby from Colm Toibin’s novel of the same name, Brooklyn is a classic, old-fashioned romance, which combines elegant storytelling, strong performances and swoonsome visuals.
THURSDAY
Mean Girls (2004) Film4, 11.40p.m. With the musical remake now in cinemas, here’s a chance to remind ourselves of the original, witty teen comedy. Lindsay Lohan gets the best role of her career as Cady who, after spending her early years being educated by her parents in Africa, suddenly finds herself negotiating the complicated social pecking order of an American high school.
Two new friends suggest she infiltrates a clique of popular girls known as ‘The Plastics’, so she can bring down the school’s reigning Queen Bee, the aptly named Regina (a terrific Rachel McAdams). But as Cady starts to enjoy her newfound social status and gets increasing invested in the power struggles, is she in danger of becoming a mean girl herself ?
Tina Fey, who wrote the endlessly quotable screenplay, has a supporting role as a frazzled teacher.
FRIDAY
Scarface (1983) Film4, 9p.m.
Based on Howard Hawks’ 1932 noir thriller and with a screenplay by Oliver Stone, Brian De Palma’s violent, gripping Scarface chronicles the rise and fall of Tony Montana (Al Pacino on iconic form), a lieutenant for powerful South Florida drug lord Frank Lopez (Robert Loggia) in the early 1980s.
Tony harbours desires for Frank’s sultry mistress, Elvira (Michelle Pfeiffer), but is also strangely protective of his sister Gina (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). So much so, Tony would rather sacrifice his friendship with Manolo (Steven Bauer) than allow romance to blossom between them.
As Tony rises up the Florida food chain and slowly succumbs to the product he peddles, his downfall is assured.
SATURDAY
Gangs of New York (2002) Channel 4, 9.45p.m.
Martin Scorsese’s lavish epic is set on the mean streets of 19th-century New York and follows the Irish-born Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he joins forces with Bill the Butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis), the leader of the gang who killed his father.
Amsterdam’s ultimate aim is to avenge his dad’s death, but as he rises up the ranks, he finds himself bonding with his new mentor. However, their already volatile relationship is complicated by a beautiful pickpocket (Cameron Diaz), a new influx of Irish arrivals, and the enforced drafting of men to fight in the Civil War.
The sheer scale of the film means some of the characters get lost, but there’s no missing Day-Lewis in a charismatic, gloriously over-the-top turn.
SUNDAY
The French Connection (1971) BBC2, 10p.m.
Two tough New York cops try to bust an international drugs ring after learning that heroin is being shipped in from France. Their investigation leads them to a sweet shop that’s been selling more than candy, but for one of the officers in particular the case becomes an obsession, and he doesn’t care how many rules he has to bend to get results.
Viewers seeing The French Connection for the first time might think the plot is a bit cliched, but that’s only because it inspired so many other TV shows and films. Although most people remember the iconic car chase, the gritty drama also boasts an extraordinary performance by Gene Hackman as Popeye Doyle, and an impressive supporting cast. No wonder it picked up five Oscars. Fernando Rey and Roy Scheider also star.
MONDAY
The Wife (2017) BBC2, 12.15a.m.
In 1992 Connecticut, celebrated writer Joe Castleman (Jonathan Pryce) receives a telephone call to confirm he has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Joe’s wife Joan (Glenn Close) celebrates with her spouse yet there is unspoken tension.
The Castlemans travel to Sweden on Concorde and, mid-flight, they are pestered by muck-raking journalist Nathaniel Bone (Christian Slater). He is keen to pen a biography on Joe and hopes that he can get to his unwilling subject via Joan. The prize ceremony approaches and tension between the Castlemans explodes with devastating consequences.
Bjorn Runge’s slow-burning drama is draped elegantly around Close and her deeply moving performance, which secured her a seventh Oscar nomination (although she lost to Olivia Colman).
TUESDAY
Moonlight (2016) BBC2, 12.05a.m. Twelve-year-old Chiron (Alex Hibbert) is one of the smallest boys in his year and an obvious target for bullies. Any beatings pale next to the pain inflicted by his mother Paula (Naomie Harris), who is a slave to her drug habit. Her neglect drives Chiron into the arms of Paula’s dealer, Juan (Mahershala Ali), and his girlfriend Teresa (Janelle Monae), who try to provide a stable home environment as the lad contends with growing pains.
Chiron grows into an awkward 16-yearold (now played by Ashton Sanders) and recognises his attraction to best friend Kevin (Jharrel Jerome). Many years later, Chiron (now played by Trevante Rhodes) and Kevin (now played by Andre Holland) are reunited.
Writer-director Barry Jenkins’ Oscar-winning drama is an extraordinary film of naked emotion, broken dreams and deep longing.