TV FILMS OF THE WEEK
THE GRINCH Sunday, ITV, 5.20pm
Not to be confused with the excellent version with Jim Carrey, this is the recent animated take (right) on the Dr Seuss classic with Benedict Cumberbatch voicing the Christmas-loathing Grinch. Look out for the Whos of Whoville and a heart that is ‘two sizes to small’.
LITTLE WOMEN Monday, Sky Cinema Premiere, 8pm
Greta Gerwig’s freewheeling adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel captures the spirit and energy of the March sisters’ story post the American Civil War. Saoirse Ronan as Jo and Florence Pugh as Amy are wonderful.
ABOUT TIME Tuesday, 5 Star, 9pm
One of those Richard Curtis films that quietly creeps up on you. Domhnall Gleeson is a young man who discovers he can travel in time and uses it to win the girl of his dreams (Rachel McAdams). Surprisingly lovely.
THEIR FINEST Tuesday, BBC2, 12.30am
Gemma Arterton (right) plays a young woman in the London Blitz who finds she has a talent for writing propaganda film scripts for the Ministry of Information. Sam Claflin and Bill Nighy are outstanding in supporting roles.
THE KING’S SPEECH Wednesday, BBC2, 9pm
Colin Firth won an Oscar as the future King George VI, with a chronic stammer and fear of public speaking, helped by Geoffrey Rush’s Australian speech therapist. One of the great British films of the past 20 years.
TAMARA DREWE Thursday, BBC4, 11.25pm
This tale of creative, country-dwelling folk exposes the Dorset countryside as a seething mass of infidelity and sexual intrigue. A great cast is led by Roger Allam as a philandering thriller-writer and Gemma Arterton as the beautiful Tamara.
Wickedly funny.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE Friday, Film 4, 3.15pm
Heart-warming Christmas classic with James Stewart as a small-town bank manager facing ruin on Christmas Eve and contemplating suicide. Until a guardian angel intervenes…
THE HAPPY PRINCE Friday, BBC2, 9pm
It took writer, director and cosmetically expanded star Rupert Everett ten years to get this very personal project made, but it was worth it. Everett plays Oscar Wilde, released from Reading Gaol and living unhappily in Paris – ostracised, stigmatised and flat broke. A heart-breaking gem.