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| Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Institute/photo by Getty Images |
Sometimes star quality is enough with a documentary to pull you in rather than flashy direction. So it is with this look back at the life and career of West Side Story star Rita Moreno, who is basically a walking charm offensive. At 87 years old when this was shot, Moreno has the sort of expansiveness that comes with age and a willingness to talk about the good and bad that she has experienced. This is a documentary of the old school talking heads sort but Mariem Perez cares about her subject and makes sure she gets plenty of time in the frame. A consideration of the discrimination that held many Hispanic stars back in the era that brought Moreno her Oscar, it also notes how influential she was for those who followed after her, including Eva Longoria. The story is brought right up to date with Moreno’s return to the Spielberg version of West Side Story.
The Quiet Girl, 11.10pm, Film4, Tuesday, December 16
Anne-Katrin Titze writes: Colm Bairéad’s superb first feature, The Quiet Girl (Oscar-nominated in the International Feature Film category, Ireland’s first such honour), shot by Kate McCullough (European Film Award winner), is based on Claire Keegan’s story, Foster. It tells the tale of Cait (magnificent newcomer Catherine Clinch), a young girl in the rural Ireland of about 40 years ago. She is sent off by her parents to distant relatives (Carrie Crowley and Andrew Bennett as the Cinnsealachs), virtual strangers, to spend the summer while her mother (Kate Nic Chonaonaigh) gets ready to give birth to her sixth child in their already too crowded, filthy, poverty-stricken household. Cait’s surly father Dan (Michael Patric) one night tells his wife that “they can keep her as long as they like.” Cait overhears the conversation. Equivalent to Hansel and Gretel’s classic call to adventure it is every child’s nightmare scenario come true – your parents want to get rid of you. It is the core of fairy tales, ancient and true, that wounds can heal, that change is possible, that goodwill and benevolence and honesty can lead the way to preternatural recovery. This is a picture about top-notch parenting, and its opposite. It is supremely hopeful about what can be overcome with love and care, by openness and listening to a child. Nurture in nature is key.
Shadowlands, 10.20pm, BBC4, Wednesday, December 17, and the same channel on Friday at 12.35am
Fans of intelligent, moving romantic drama, definitely shouldn't miss this Anthony Hopkins treat. He plays Narnia author CS Lewis as he finds his rather dusty world opening up first to friendship and then romance with American divorcee Joy (Debra Winger, whose performances generally come with a "bring tissues" warning). Richard Attenborough creates a handsome atmosphere in which both actors bring their A game, as this tale of unexpected connection laced with tragedy unfolds. Literary fans will love the insight into Lewis but it's the human emotion here that is Attenborough's ace.
Robocop, 9pm, ITV4, Thursday, December 18
Jennie Kermode writes: The original and still the best, Paul Verhoeven’s sparkling satire dressed up as a science fiction actioner is brought to life by Peter Weller’s sensitive performance in the lead. Shot to death at work, he’s resurrected as a cyborg and touted as the future of law enforcement, but when his memories of family life and loyalty to his partner mean he refuses to play along with a system he knows to be corrupt, another, meaner robot is brought into play. A wealth of talent and perfect balance between tragedy and comedy have made this a classic.
Carol, 1.10am, Film4, Thursday, December 18
I realise that it’s not beginning to look a lot like Christmas in this week’s Stay-at-Home Seven – although check back next week for a bumper edition that should hopefully be a bit more jingled up – but here’s a cracker. Patricia Highsmith's novel The Price Of Salt enjoys an exquisitely crafted adaptation by screenwriter Phyllis Nagy and director Todd Haynes. Described by Haynes as a film about "looking and being looked at", it tells the tale of aspiring photographer and store clerk Therese (Rooney Mara), who falls for the elegant Carol (Cate Blanchett), who is going through a messy divorce. This is a slow-burn watch, brimming with conflicting desires and featuring performances that could easily have walked away with Oscars – although the stars lost out to Brie Larson (Room) and Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl). As with all of Haynes' films, the look – shot by regular collaborator Edward Lachman – and costuming by Sandy Powell are also impeccable. Read our interview with Christine Vachon and Elizabeth Karlsen about the film, and what the director and stars said about it in Cannes and New York.
The Amazing Maurice, 10.30am, Sky Mix, Saturday, December 20
Caturday fans won’t want to miss this Terry Pratchett adaptation which revolves around a sarky ginger mog, voiced by Hugh Laurie. He’s part of a posse of con artists, largely made up of intelligent rats, who are working a Pied Piper of Hamelin scam, although the rats are unaware of Maurice’s real angle. They soon have more important things to worry about, however, as they are forced to take on Boss Man (David Thewlis) if they want to save a town from Famine. The excellent voice cast runs wide and deep, also featuring David Tennant as the fabulously named Dangerous Beans and Rob Brydon as the actual Pied Piper. Strikes the right balance between cosy and comedic.
The Vourdalak, 2.05am, Film4, Sunday, December 21
This atmospheric Gothic take on vampire mythology draws on Tolstoy's tale of a blood-sucker. An aristocrat (Kacey Mottet Klein) is looking for help in a forest when he stumbles on the home of a family who are waiting for the return of their patriarch, who cautioned them against letting him back in the house if he was gone for more than six days. You might think you can guess what happens next but the familiar elements of this horror are lent an additionally creepy vibe by the use of Super 16 and, more importantly, the fact that the Vourdalak himself is not a human but a marionette. Adrien Beau's film has a Hammer-esque retro quality, and the director isn't afraid to employ a good dash of humour as well as the grotesque. Likely to be the most unusual film you'll watch this week.
And we’re sticking with horror and humour for our short film this week. Ghost Burger, animated by Lee Hardcastle. You can read more about his work on his site.
