Our movie guy, James Finnegan, on some of the movies on the box today and tonight…
Our movie guy, James Finnegan, on some of the movies on the box today and tonight…Loch Ness (Saturday 3.45pm RTE One) is a gentle, old-fashioned family adventure with a warm heart.
Directed by John Henderson and scored by Trevor Jones, it stars Ted Danson as Dr. Dempsey, a sceptical American scientist sent to Scotland to disprove the Loch Ness Monster, alongside Joely Richardson, Ian Holm, James Frain and Kirsty Graham.
The plot follows Dempsey as his cynical investigation turns into something more magical when he bonds with local innkeeper Laura and her daughter Isabel, who may know the truth about Nessie.
It is more charming than thrilling, with cosy scenery, light romance and a sweet belief in wonder.
If you like sentimental creature-feature comfort viewing, this is a pleasant dip.
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The Railway Children Return (Saturday 6.35pm RTE One) is a cosy, heartfelt sequel that leans warmly into nostalgia while adding a wartime story of its own.
Directed by Morgan Matthews, with music by Edward Farmer and Martin Phipps, it stars Jenny Agutter, Sheridan Smith, Tom Courtenay, Beau Gadsdon, Eden Hamilton, Zac Cudby, Austin Haynes, John Bradley and KJ Aikens.
Set in 1944, the film follows three Manchester children evacuated to a Yorkshire village, where they befriend local boy Thomas and discover Abe, an injured American soldier hiding near the railway.
The story mixes childhood adventure with themes of courage, prejudice and kindness. It is sweet rather than surprising, but its sincerity is easy to like.
No Hard Feelings (Saturday 9.25pm RTE One) is a brash, surprisingly sweet comedy that gives Jennifer Lawrence plenty of room to be messy, funny and oddly vulnerable.
Directed by Gene Stupnitsky, with music by Mychael Danna and Jessica Rose Weiss, it stars Lawrence as Maddie Barker, alongside Andrew Barth Feldman, Laura Benanti, Matthew Broderick, Natalie Morales, Scott MacArthur, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Kyle Mooney and Hasan Minhaj.
Facing the loss of her home and car, Maddie accepts a bizarre job from wealthy parents – date their shy son Percy before he leaves for college.
The humour is broad and awkward, but the film works best when it turns into a story about friendship and growing up.
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When A Man Loves A Woman (Saturday 10.20pm TG4) is an earnest, emotionally direct drama that still lands because Meg Ryan and Andy García give it real weight.
Directed by Luis Mandoki, with music by Zbigniew Preisner, it stars Ryan as Alice, García as Michael, with Ellen Burstyn, Lauren Tom, Tina Majorino, Mae Whitman and Philip Seymour Hoffman in support.
The story follows a seemingly happy marriage strained by Alice’s alcoholism, her painful collapse, treatment in rehab and the difficult adjustments that follow when sobriety changes the family dynamic.
It is occasionally melodramatic, but its best scenes feel honest about love, resentment and recovery. Ryan is especially strong against type. Enjoy!
