The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
HOSTAGE SITUATION
John Hamm stars in a thrilling drama based on a true story, there’s a podcast about what’s hot on TV and the Hairy Bikers dole out some advice
AMERICAN HOSTAGE
At the same time radio journalist Fred Heckman is preparing for an anniversary lunch with his wife, elsewhere in town Tony Kiritis is pointing a shotgun at the head of his banker.
In an erratic 911 call, Kiritis reveals he has a ‘dead man’s line’ attached to the weapon. If he is incapacitated in any way, the gun will fire and his hostage will be killed. Then he calls Heckman to ask for a live radio interview.
Though more used to acting on screen, Jon Hamm (Mad Men) is brilliant as the Indianapolis journalist whose desire for a good story drags him into the middle of a 63-hour hostage situation that draws on events of real life.
He and Joe Perrino as Kiritis have their work cut out for them in expressing extremes of emotion in what is essentially a duet between two very different men.
Hamm’s performance is restrained as the old-fashioned radio man attempts to take the unusual situation in his stride – but when he is worried or scared you feel it too.
Meanwhile, between Perrino’s deft treatment of his character and clever writing, you – like Americans back in 1977 – start to empathise with the man holding the shotgun. entertaining than the programmes they’re discussing.
10/10 is one of those rare finds, entirely thanks to hosts and friends Tolani Shoneye (from podcast The Receipts) and Gena-mour Barrett, who are the sort of genuinely warm and funny people that brighten up your day.
Spoilers often do not bother these two so make sure you’ve watched the featured show in advance.
A mid-life crisis propels one disillusioned father to the brink of self-destruction in this Danish black comedy.
Family man Martin (Rasmus Bjerg) feels ill-equipped to provide for his wife Anne (Sofie Grabol) and two daughters.
Under the auspices of attending a conference, he leaves home, dons the furs of Viking ancestors and heads deep into a forest to live off the land and prove his worth as a huntergatherer. Alas, Martin is poorly equipped to source food or fend for himself so a local shop becomes a lifeline for provisions.
During one sortie through the forest, Martin stumbles upon a badly injured man called Musa (Zaki Youssef), who turns out to be a drug smuggler on the run.
Martin nurses Musa back to health and they embark on a madcap quest to find a self-sustaining community in the mountains.
■ In cinemas from Friday