7 TV FILMS OF THE WEEK
1
THE ACCOUNTANT
Tonight, BBC1, 10.30pm
IN THIS sharp-shooting thriller, Ben Affleck plays an autistic number cruncher, who is equally gifted with his fists and a rifle. Christian Wolff (Affleck) meticulously investigates financial irregularities in criminal enterprises. The Treasury Department, led by financial crimes director, Raymond King (JK Simmons), is determined to expose Wolff as the shadowy figure called The Accountant. Meanwhile, Wolff is hired by Lamar Blackburn (John Lithgow), CEO of Living Robotics, to verify the findings of perky in-house accountant Dana Cummings (Anna Kendrick), who alleges more than $60m of company funds has gone astray.
2
MOLLY’S GAME
Tomorrow, BBC2, 10pm
AFTER an injury ends her skiing career, Molly (Jessica Chastain, pictured) lands a job working for real estate wheeler dealer Dean Keith (Jeremy Strong), who organises high-stakes poker games for the Hollywood elite. When Dean betrays her, Molly sets up her own game, which attracts members of the Russian mafia to her table, making her a prime target for an FBI sting.
3
PLATOON
Tuesday, ITV4, 11.15pm
OSCAR-WINNING drama. College dropout Chris (Charlie Sheen, pictured) volunteers for service in Vietnam. On his arrival, his colleagues scorn his lack of experience, while his platoon’s two sergeants embark on a war against each other. Following an illegal killing, Chris finds himself torn between the conflict against the Viet Cong and that going on amongst his fellow soldiers.
4
THE WAY WAY BACK
Wednesday, Film4, 6.55pm
BITTERSWEET coming-of-age story. Shy teenager Duncan (Liam James, pictured) goes on holiday with his mother Pam (Toni Collette), her new boyfriend Trent (Steve Carell) and Trent’s daughter Steph (Zoe Levin). Duncan ventures to nearby Water Wizz theme park where the owner Owen (Sam Rockwell) hires him and he gains confidence under his reckless mentor.
5
TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY Thursday, ITV4, 9pm
HAVING destroyed a cyborg assassin sent to kill her, and had a child with the late soldier sent to protect her, Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) is now locked up in a psychiatric institute. She is broken out by her son John (Edward Furlong), and a reprogrammed Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger, pictured). But a liquid metal killer (Robert Patrick) is out to kill them all.
6
TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
Friday, BBC1, 10.45pm
THIS labyrinthine drama, based on John le Carré’s novel, centres on the disgraced former deputy to the head of British intelligence, who is called out of retirement to investigate claims of a Soviet mole in MI6. Gary Oldman, right, is superb as ageing hero George Smiley, alongside Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, John Hurt, Benedict Cumberbatch and Toby Jones.
7
INVICTUS
Saturday, BBC1, 8.05pm
FOLLOWING his release from Robben Island, South African President Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) inherits a country scarred by apartheid. On the rugby field, only white South Africans cheer the Springboks. He tries to heal the rift and inspire captain Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon, pictured with Freeman) and his men to victory when his nation hosts the Rugby World Cup.