 |
| The Assistant Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Institute |
Kitty Green built a name for herself on the festival circuit with challenging documentaries, including Casting JonBenet – a slippery example of the form that blends fiction with fact to fascinating effect – and she brings a documentary feel to this, her debut feature, which focuses on a single day in the life of Jane (Jennifer Garner), an office assistant of a high-powered film executive. Green keeps on the focus on the psychological implications of this toxic workplace, which brings striking echoes of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, as Jane faces the trickle down of sexism, shining a light on the emotional blackmail that exists in these spaces. Garner deserved a lot more awards plaudits for her performance, which is as much physical as scripted, as she dances her character on the emotional edge.
Hot Fuzz, 9pm, ITV4, Monday, June 29
Edgar Wright had a tough job on his hands trying to match his zombie spoof Shaun Of The Dead hit but he solidly replicates the offbeat joy with this warmly made parody of an American buddy cop movie that, like Shaun, finds much of its humour in eccentric Britishness. The film reunites Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as a hot-shot city cop sent to the countryside and his small town sidekick who find themselves on the trail of a killer. Pegg and Frost spark off one another perfectly as Wright manages to inject just the right level of silliness while maintaining the action adrenaline.
The Bone Collector, 10.55pm, Legend Xtra (Freeview Channel 69), Tuesday, June 30
I feel as though I should preface this capsule by saying that this will almost certainly not be the best film you watch this week (that’s Past Lives). Nevertheless, this adaptation of Jeffrey Deaver’s bestseller, is a solid midweek watch. Denzel Washington stars as the quadriplegic Lincoln Rhyme, who attempts to solve crimes from his home. With a cabbie serial killer on the prowl he enlists the help of rookie cop Amelia Donaghay (Angelina Jolie). Jolie is not great here, but that’s down to the writing not the acting. Still, the polished nature of the production and Washington’s strong performance, even though he’s basically immobile, somehow keep things on track, although the climax is overwrought.
Call Jane, 1.10am, Film4, Wednesday, July 1
Elizabeth Banks shines as Joy, a suburban housewife who, in 1968 Chicago, is told she can’t have an abortion even though her pregnancy could lead to her death. This is how she comes across the Jane network, a secret group who run an underground network that gives access to illegal abortions. Her experience leads her on a path to activism in the organisation headed by Sigourney Weaver’s no-nonsense Virginia. It might look like dour subject matter but Phyllis Nagy serves up a pacy and engaging, well acted drama that celebrates what these women achieved without grandstanding.
Past Lives, 12.35am, BBC2, Thursday, July 2
Featuring a perfect trio of performances, Celine Song’s debut is a romantic treat about love that goes the distance. When Nora - then named Na Young - leaves South Korea as a 12-year-old for Canada, she also leaves behind her first crush. Fast-forwarding 12 years, Nora (Greta Lee) is now living in New York and finds a bit of Facebook curiosity leads her to reconnect with Hae Sung (Teo Yoo). This is just the start of Song's elegant drama, which will check in once again with the pair after another dozen years have passed and Nora is now married to Jewish American Arthur (John Magaro). Rather than big and blousy moves, Song instead holds the finer facets of love and friendship, hope and nostalgia up to the night where they glitter beguilingly.
The Fighter, 10.50pm, Legend Xtra (Freeview Channel 69), Thursday, July 2
There’s a gritty feel to this biopic of "Irish" Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg, who also produced), a welterweight who is attempting to follow in his brother Dicky’s (Christian Bale) footsteps to the big time. Bale is twitchy and monstrous but somehow still sympathetic and won an Oscar for his efforts but the whole ensemble cast is great, including Amy Adams as a barmaid who takes a shine to Micky and Melissa Leo as his overbearing mother. Somehow they all teeter on the brink of caricature without tipping over. Director David O’Russell isn’t so good when it comes to shooting the fight scenes but in the brawl of the family, he comes out on top.
Marcel, The Shell With Shoes On, 8.40am, BBC2, Saturday
Jennie Kermode writes: Initially rising to fame through a couple of YouTube shorts, Marcel, the titular shell, who is very much as described, was so widely adored that film stardom came to seem like the natural next step, and yet it's notoriously difficult to turn such a neat little idea into a full length feature. That Dean Fleischer-Camp has managed to do so, remain true to the spirit of the originals and keep audiences engaged throughout is no small feat. He has done so by presenting the film as a documentary, in which, having encountered Marcel in the AirB'n'B where he's staying after a break-up, he proceeds to tell his story and to help his lonely friend try to reconnect with his lost family. There's a bit of a Borrowers aspect to it as the little shell explains how he makes use of the various small objects he finds around the house, and a persistent sweetness with just enough sly humour to prevent it from becoming saccharine. The film is constantly inventive and beautifully performed. Viewers of all ages will find themselves smitten with its small star.
Our short selection will return next week.
