entertainment
Films
Movie of the Month
by tom b r ow n e
© mongrel media / © pathe uk / © sony classi cs
■■DRAMA: The Daughter This terrific Australian film uses a narrative beloved of classic literature—a stranger (in this case Christian, played by Paul Schneider) A family in returns to town after a long gap, bringing crisis: Ewen a secret that threatens to tear apart the Leslie, Odessa lives of his wealthy father Henry (Geoffrey Young and Rush), his old friend Oliver (Ewen Leslie), Sam Neill in Oliver’s wife Charlotte (Miranda Otto) and The Daughter daughter Hedvig (Odessa Young). This is the kind of ensemble drama that encapsulates the very best of Australian filmmaking (see in particular 2001’s Lantana, also starring Rush). It brilliantly teases out the dilemmas that affect us all, and how different characters respond to these pressures. Special mention must also be made of Sam Neill as Oliver’s world-weary father Walter, a man who’s witnessed much tragedy and wears his scars on his sleeve. ■■comedy: Florence Foster Jenkins The title character (played
■■biopic: i saw the light
with great vim by Meryl Streep) gained fame in the 1930s and 40s as an amateur opera singer with a notable lack of talent —something that didn’t stop her from performing or making records. This fine biopic is often played for laughs, but there’s real pathos too, and the film gains extra Brownie points for a wonderful turn from Hugh Grant as Florence’s doting but duplicitous husband.
Casting the quintessentially British thespian Tom Hiddleston as country-music legend Hank Williams seems like a bold, if not foolish, idea. But his performance —alongside that of Elizabeth Olsen as Hank’s wife Audrey—is the highlight of an otherwise sluggish film, which fails to contextualise Williams’ life and can’t hold a candle to the Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line. The music and the leads, however, make it worth your time. 05•2016
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e n t e r ta i n m e n t
Music
■■period: love & friendship This
■■THRILLER: Green Room A punkrock band play a gig at a club run by a neo-Nazi group, then find themselves trapped and facing the wrath of gang leader Darcy Banker (Patrick Stewart— see interview on p22) after witnessing a murder. This third outing from director Jeremy Saulnier lacks the originality of his previous effort Blue Ruin, but if you want stripped-down thrills and in-yourface violence, it packs a hell of a punch.
breezy adaptation of a Jane Austen short novel follows the scheming Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale) as she sets about finding a new husband for herself and her reluctant daughter Catherine (Emma Greenwell ), all the while scandalising society. The laughs come thick and fast despite the uneven plotting, and Beckinsale —who’s given dialogue to chew on—is excellent.
by man di goodi er
Come All Sufferers by Gabriel Bruce
DVD of the month ■■room*
Key tracks: “Metal Soul”, “Gates of Babylon”, “Hold Me Close, Holy Ghost” Like this? You may also like: John Maus, Kindness, Lou Reed
Brie Larson gives a terrific, Oscar-winning performance in this intense kidnap drama.
Overlooked Record from the Past Shleep by Robert Wyatt
Online: Classic Words
Recommended to me by my mum, this scrabble game is working wonders for my mental agility.
Reading: Us by David Nicholls
Listening: Wilder Mind by Mumford & Sons They always take
Charming and captivating—I feel as if I know the characters personally.
me on a roller coaster of emotions, with songs that build and build.
Fancy appearing in this section? Send your current cultural favourites, along with short descriptions, to readersletters@readersdigest.co.uk 20
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* TO BUY DVDS FEATURED HERE, GO TO SHOP.READERSDIGEST.CO.UK
© mbj f ilm / © curzon arti fi ci al ey e
finding this tough and very gory at times. A strong stomach and an open mind are required!
Album of the Month
This highly distinctive album broods with the intensity of Nick Cave and the low-pitched energy of Iggy Pop. Gabriel Bruce’s lyrics are rich in visual imagery, combining the biblical with modern-day culture (“Kurt & Kanye”) and seething with betrayed love and melancholy. So why all the negativity? Well, this is a break-up album, but it’s as much about trying to find comfort and faith in the future. The music also finds plenty of uplifting spaces, positioning itself between Eighties’ dance beats and droning goth, resulting in a sort of discogoth vibe. The end result is a classic bare-all record.
On Your Radar Sue Watt, cleaning supervisor Watching: Game of Thrones (box set) I’m
Reader’s Digest
Ever the experimenter, Robert Wyatt brought together disparate genres and collaborators to produce this sleep-inspired album in 1997. The first song, “Heaps of Sheeps”, features compatriot Brian Eno and sets a happy, dreamlike tone, while “Blues in Bob Minor”—a reference to Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues”—features an instrumental arrangement by Paul Weller. But even though there are plenty of surprises along the way as the album floats between jazz, pop and blues, Shleep never loses its lulling ambience. listen to these albums at READERSDIGEST.CO.UK/LISTEN
On Our Radar National Pet Show, ExCeL London, May 7. Displays and
advice for existing and potential pet owners. Belfast Film & Comic Con, May 14–15.
Celebrating film, TV, fantasy and cosplay. Edinburgh Marathon, May 29. A 26-mile
run taking in the city’s iconic landmarks.
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