Our movie guy, James Finnegan, found some interesting and previously undiscovered gems hidden among the plethora of sporting events on RTE this week that he thinks you’ll enjoy…
It is a rare event when a film augments the appreciation of a book, and The Painted Veil (Saturday 9.20 TG4) is one such production.
W. Somerset Maugham’s novel has been filmed three times, and this is by far the best. Set in the 1920’s, a somewhat bookish doctor Walter Fane (Edward Norton) is bedazzled by the beautiful Kitty (Naomi Watts).
They marry in a whirlwind romance and head to Shanghai where Walter works studying infectious diseases – no, not that one!
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Unfortunately for Walter, Kitty meets and falls for Charles Townsend (Liev Schreiber) a married British Embassy official.
Walter finds out about their affair, and threatens to divorce her, unless she accompanies him to a remote area in China, where he must deal with a cholera outbreak.
I will not say more as it would spoil the ending, but this is a really intense emotional rollercoaster drama, which is wonderfully underplayed by three excellent leads.
The supporting cast include the always excellent Toby Jones and the late Diana Rigg. Directed by John Curran, and with a wonderful soundtrack by Alexandre Desplat, this is highly recommended.
The Post (Saturday 9.50 RTE1) is the type of film that had ‘Oscar bait’ written all over it, although it did not fare as well in the nominations as was expected. However, it is a fascinating story made all the more interesting as it is based on true life drama.
This could almost be seen as a prequel to All the President’s Men. The Washington Post is involved in a very competitive market. Its new owner, Katherine Graham (Meryl Streep) has serious business decisions to make that have serious ramifications for the future of the paper.
Rumours abound that there are classified US Government records that go back over several administrations that the war in Vietnam was never going to be won. Editor Ben Bradley (Tom Hanks) wants to publish these records that became known as the Pentagon Papers.
The early 70’s are brought back to life so authentically, you forget how hard it was to keep in touch until you see reporters looking for call boxes and the pounding of typewriters in smoke filled rooms.
Directed by Stephen Spielberg and a supporting cast including Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk and Bradley Whitford, this is a classy recreation of a seminal period in US history, and especially of the power of the Press in these days of 24 hour coverage and ‘fake news’.
A quick note of a lovely Irish comedy Metal Heart (Sunday 9.30 RTE1) telling of the sibling rivalry between two twin sisters Chantal (Leah McNamara) and Emma (Jordanne Jones).
The girl’s parents are away for the summer, so when Dan (Moe Dunford) moves in next door, there can only be conflict ahead. Directed by Hugh O’Connor, this coming of age gentle comedy is good fun. Enjoy and stay safe.