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| Minari was nominated for six Oscars |
Lee Isaac Chung's semi-autobiographical film pulled off the double at Sundance, winning both the Grand Jury and Audience Awards in the US Dramatic Competition and went on to be nominated for six Oscars, although it lost out for Best Picture to Nomadland. It tells the tale of a Korean family who move to start a new life in rural Arkansas - a move that sees the shine come off the patriarch Jacob's "American dream" quite quickly as things prove tougher than he imagined. The film hits its stride when grandma (Yuh-jung Young, who did take home the Best Supporting Academy Award) comes to help look after seven-year-old David (Alan S Kim, a real find), who has a heart condition, and his sister Anne (Noel Cho). Chung explores the family microcosm through details, to paint a vibrant, emotional picture of both the family and the broader immigrant experience.
An Education, 11.15pm, BBC2, Tuesday, September 19
Carey Mulligan had been working on British TV for a while when she starred in Lone Scherfig's adaptation of Lynne Barber's memoir about being swept off her feet by a suave older man as a teenager - but this catapulted Mulligan from the snow of Sundance to the big time and an Oscar nomination, although she lost out to Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side. She's perfectly cast as 16-year-old Jenny, groomed for Oxford by her parents (Alfred Molina and Cara Seymour), and soon falling for the charms of David (Peter Sarsgaard), whose charm offensive also works wonders on her parents. Though Mulligan is magnificent, Sarsgaard also pitches this just right, floating perfectly in the grey area between debonair and dodgy.
Judas And The Black Messiah, Netflix, from Wednesday, September 20
A heavyweight cast including Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemmons and Dominique Fishback bring their A-game to Shaka King's retelling of the true story of Chicago Black Panther leader Fred Hampton, who was assassinated at just 21. Kaluuya brings a fierce intensity to Hampton, matched by Stanfield as the Judas of the piece, Bill O’Neal, an FBI informant tasked with infiltrating Hampton's inner circle. There's a complex narrative at work here, smoothly shifting gears between the domestic situation with Hampton and his partner Deborah Johnson (Fishback) to the FBI operation, featuring O'Neal's recruiting agent Roy Mitchell (Plemmons) and Hampton's preacher-like energy in a bid to draw together a disparate coalition of the marginalised. A gripping and eye-opening snapshot of America that justifies every minute of its two-hour running time.
The Farewell, 9pm, Film4, Wednesday, September 20
Jennie Kermode writes: Sometimes families themselves can be manipulative – albeit with the best of intentions. Grandmother Nai Nai (Shuzhen Zhao) is dying, but her Chinese American relatives have decided not to let her know, preferring to let her live out her last few days without such worry. They do want to see her, however, so in order to provide an excuse for getting everyone together, they decide to throw a wedding. Awkwafina won a Golden Globe for her performance as Billi, the headstrong young woman who disagrees with this approach. Cultures and cousins clash in a family where tradition still holds powerful sway and everything has to be done a certain way, whilst problem solving generally involves food. While the details may be specific, most viewers will recognise the dynamic, and the film never gets too serious, finding comedy and warmth at the most surprising times.
Cassandro, Amazon Prime, from Friday, September 22
Gael Garcia Bernal brings the full force of his pocket rocket energy to this true tale of Mexican wrestling star Saul Armendariz. Armendariz is always on the losing end in the ring as his lucha libre alter-ego El Topo until he becomes convinced to transform himself into Cassandro, one of the sport's "exoticos" who drag up for flamboyant performance but are 'cast' to perpetually lose to their hyper-masculine opponents. Armendariz, who we see facing a barrage of vile homophobia, decides it's time to rip up the playbook and is soon winning over fans with his playful attitude and surprising moves. Roger Ross Williams balances the ring action with Armendariz's personal life, not least his warm relationship with his mother Yocasta (Perla de la Rosa) and the tricky situation he faces in an affair with married and closeted boxer El Comandante (Raul Castillo). This may ultimately have a mainstream familiarity but it also boasts an emotional vibrancy as rich as Cassandro's costumes.
Mr Popper's Penguins, 2.45pm, Saturday, September 23
There may be a predictable sweep to this adaptation of the novel by Richard and Florence Atwater but, as always, Jim Carrey - who had already had a go at being a workaholic dad in Liar Liar - elevates the material by force of will and contortion of face. Mr Popper (Carrey) ends up inheriting a pack of penguins who proceed to wreak havoc - and quite a few impressive set action pieces - in his life. Another plus for the script is Angela Lansbury as the owner of a tavern that Popper's real estate bosse want to get their hands on, bringing with her the sort of life lessons she regularly dished out in cinema since Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
True Romance, ITVX, streaming now
Jennie Kermode writes: Written by Quentin Tarantino, directed by the late Tony Scott, this gangland fairy tale about star-crossed lovers on the run never quite achieves the greatness that would seem to be within its reach, but has some terrific moments nonetheless. Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette head up a strong cast which includes Dennis Hopper, Christopher Walken and James Gandolfini, plus Brad Pitt as a hopeless stoner and Val Kilmer as the ghost of Elvis. A case of cocaine promises a couple of minimum wage kids the chance to start a new life, but only if they can successfully get it across the country to Hollywood without getting arrested or killed in the process. A purple Cadillac may not be the most discreet choice of transport but style comes before substance in a visually striking thriller with a lot of heart.
This week's short selection is The Dead Man Speaks, who went on to make his debut feature, All Is Vanity, in 2021.
