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| Merkel Photo: Netflix |
Merkel, Netflix
The former German chancellor’s life and career is brought to life with skill and speed in this documentary from Eva Weber. Angela Merkel spent three decades in politics - a large proportion of that at the top, no mean feat given that she was born behind the Berlin Wall in East Germany and worked as a physicist before her switch of career. Weber captures via archive interview and observations from the likes of Condoleeza Rice and Tony Blair, how Merkel’s studious nature was put to good advantage as she shaped herself for power. What also comes across strongly is her surprisingly pixieish sense of humour. Pacy and enjoyable.
Parasite, 12.35am, Film4, Tuesday, March 7
Jennie Kermode writes: Following the exploits of the scheming Kim family as they inveigle themselves into the lives of the wealthy Parks through various acts of deception, Bong Joon-ho's witty social satire is far more astute than it might seem at first glance. Though it plays out as a farce - often hilariously - it's anything but superficial, teasing out the complexities of South Korea's class system while asking viewers to reflect on the construction of morality and how much easier it is to be nice if one never has to struggle. A sharp analysis of privilege acknowledges that the Parks are, to an extent, innocents, simply benefitting from a system which they understand even less, and Bong carefully balances our sympathies en route to a spectacular final act. While his arguments might not be new, they're assembled in a way that is both elegant and succinct, and they never distract from the human side of the story or its increasingly dark humour. As a director, he shifts registers with ease to reflect traditional Korean techniques used in depicting poverty whilst making the Parks' world look like a series of glossy high-end advertisements. The film is a superb example of craft applied for a purpose.
The Good The Bad And The Ugly, 10.30pm, ITV4, Wednesday, 8 March
Any of Sergio Leone's spaghetti westerns are worth catching but this third instalment of the Dollars Trilogy is arguably his finest hour. This time the man with no name (Clint Eastwood, still probably the only man alive to truly rock a poncho) is taking on 'the bad' (Lee Van Cleef) and 'the ugly' (Eli Wallach) as the trio attempt to double-cross their way to a stash of treasure. The film is packed with great moments, from its opening gun battle to its sweaty Sad Hill Cemetery climax, all accompanied by Ennio Morricone's iconic score. Be warned, all other westerns will pale in comparison after watching this. Read more about the score.
Amulet, 11.10pm, Wednesday, 8 March
Actress Romola Garai (Atonement) turns her hand to directing in this horror about a homeless ex-soldier who finds himself in a battlezone of an altogether more psychological kind after agreeing to help a woman and her dying mother. Imelda Staunton has a whole lot of fun as a nun with ulterior motives, who offers PTSD sufferer Tomaz (Alan Secareanu) a room in a suitably creepy house where Magda (Carla Juri) lives. She’s caring for her terminally ill mum (Anah Ruddin) who, in the way of such films, is confined to the attic. While the characterisation is on the flimsy side, Garai creates a strong mood and if the film takes a while to get going the final third is pedal to the metal fun.
The Revenant, 9pm, Film4, Friday, 10 March
If you’ve been chilled by the icy blast of the return of winter this week then make yourself feel better by watching somebody much worse off - namely Leonardo DiCaprio who plays a frontiersman out for revenge in the bleakest of midwinters. Alejandro González Iñárritu's film is notable for its action sequences, in particular, DiCaprioi’s Hugh Glass's mauling, visceral encounter with a bear, which will set in motion his revenge mission against bad guy John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). DiCaprio deservedly won an Oscar for his role - something he certainly went the extra mile for, even eating raw bison liver despite being veggie (he reportedly said at the time that "the bad part is the membrane around it" - thanks for that mental image, Leo!). Although the film relies to a degree on stereotypes, it gets hold of you with an icy grip that's hard to shake.
Puss In Boots, Film4, 3pm, Saturday, 11 March
You can still catch Puss In Boots: The Last Wish in some cinemas and its a worthy instalment of the tales of the swashbuckling cat, who first found fame in Shrek 2. Antonio Banderas is back as the cat out for adventure in an origin story that's every bit as enjoyable an inventive as the tales of the green ogre. This time out all round bad egg Humpty Dumpty (voiced by Zach Galifianakis) takes on villain duties, while cat burglar Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) is also introduced and there’s a magic beans quest. The film is packed with visual humour and cat comedy, with the double-act between Humpty and Puss a real family treat.
Carol, 1.30am, Monday, March 13
Just sneaking over the bar into the early hours of next week, is Phyllis Nagy's superior retelling of Patricia Highsmith's lesbian love story, set against the backdrop of Christmas and New Year. With Cate Blanchett vying for an Oscar again this year for Tár it’s well worth catching up with this earlier excellent performance - although she lost out to Brie Larsson for Room. Blanchett plays well-to-do, married housewife Carol Aird, who finds herself embarking on a tentative relationship with much younger store clerk and aspiring photographer Therese Bellivet (Rooney Mara). The whole affair has an added air of potential danger given Carol's rickety marriage to Harge (Kyle Chandler), which means her relationship could doom her fight for custody of her daughter. Todd Haynes' direction is as carefully poised as his central character, bringing real heat to the emotional scenes, while Therese slowly blossoms in ways that feel natural and well-earned. Read what Carol producers Christine Vachon and Elizabeth Karlsen told us about it, along with a press conference featuring Phyllis Nagy and Todd Haynes, plus the thoughts of Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett.
This week’s short selection is Danielle Swindell’s thought provoking Stop Nineteen about the dark tourism that has sprung up around places associated with The Troubles. You can read more about her work on her website.
