entertainment
Films
Movie of the Month
by tom b r ow n e
■■adaptation: gemma bovery
© soda pi ctures / © i fc fi lms / © universal p i ctures
Gemma Arterton scored a hit in 2010 with Tamara Drewe, a loose adaptation of Far From the Madding Crowd based on Posy Simmonds’ graphic novel. Gemma Bovery almost feels like a sequel, with Simmonds once again providing the source material —this time, a reworking of Flaubert’s Literary lovers: Gemma Arterton and Madame Bovery. Arterton plays the title Fabrice Luchini in Gemma Bovery character, an Englishwoman who’s just moved to a pretty Normandy village with husband Charlie (Jason Flemyng). Trouble looms in the form of neighbour Martin (Fabrice Luchini), a bookish local baker who’s convinced that the couple’s reckless behaviour too closely resembles Flaubert’s tragic characters. Those who liked Tamara Drewe will find much to enjoy here, especially Arterton’s sensual performance, the lovely settings and the blackly comic tone. ■■drama Manglehorn Al Pacino
seems to be enjoying a career revival— following up Danny Collins, released in May, with this more subdued effort. Pacino plays the title role, a reclusive locksmith who spends his days working, tending to his cat and lamenting a longlost love. But the arrival in his life of bank teller Dawn (Holly Hunter) promises to draw him out of his shell. A predictable narrative, but the leads should prove watchable.
■■comedy Trainwreck
This latest offering from acclaimed comedy director Judd Apatow centres around high flyer Amy (played by Amy Schumer), a career woman with a predictably messy private life, whose worldview is challenged when she meets all-round good guy Dr Aaron Conners (Bill Hader). With an ensemble cast including Tilda Swinton and Daniel Radcliffe, this promises the usual mix of laugh-out-loud humour and social awkwardness. 08•2015
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e n t e r ta i n m e n t
Henry Cavill as Napoleon Solo
■■action the man from u.n.c.l.e.
Fresh from the success of his Sherlock Holmes movies, director Guy Ritchie has now revisited another classic franchise. Much like the Sixties TV series, this sees American spy Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) and Russian agent Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) forming an unlikely Cold-War partnership to stop a criminal gang involved in nuclear proliferation. Expect plenty of stylish thrills and spills.
Music
■■mystery paper towns Author John Green scored a massive hit in 2012 with The Fault in Our Stars, which was turned into an equally successful film two years later. The same team is behind this adaptation of Green’s third novel, starring Nat Wolff and Cara Delevingne as childhood friends. What starts out as a small-town comedy soon develops into something more dark.
by ma n di goodi er
To call Mac Demarco a slacker is quite unfair—he’s now on his fourth studio album in as many years. But Mr Demarco has found himself crowned the king of that laid-back summer “slacker” sound: lazy, crooning vocals alongside effortlesssounding yet intricate guitars. The appropriately titled Another One is a delicate offering, which feels more mature than previous outings. Demarco is applying his talent to instruments other than the guitar, introducing synth to the mix and adding new depth to his already recognisable style. In many ways, this is a settling-down album rather than a coming-of-age one—and even at only 22 minutes long, it’s full of heart.
DVD of the month ■■the falling
Key tracks: “Another One”, “A Heart Like Hers”, “Without Me” Like this? You may also like: The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Todd Rundgren
Surreal drama set in an all-girls’ school in the Sixties. Stars Maisie Williams.*
Overlooked Record from the Past Hard Candy by Ned Doheny
Reading: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins If you buy this
book today, you’ll have it finished in record time.
Online: My email Catching up with family and friends is always on my agenda. Listening: Life in a Beautiful Light by Amy Macdonald A lady with huge
talent. Her thought-provoking lyrics and catchy tunes always keep my attention.
Fancy appearing in this section? Send your current cultural favourites, along with short descriptions, to readersletters@readersdigest.co.uk 18
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* TO BUY DVDS FEATURED HERE, GO TO SHOP.READERSDIGEST.CO.UK
© warners bros / 20 th century fox
Watching: Banished (BBC2)
Album of the Month
Another One by Mac Demarco
On Your Radar Sue Watt, writing student A seriously good-looking cast of convicts and soldiers make it difficult to press pause and put the kettle on.
Reader’s Digest
California, 1976. While surfers were lazing around to soft rock and disco was taking a hold of the platform-cladded, Ned Doheny was creating something else entirely. Hardy Candy, although influenced by mid-1970s rock, is infused with accessible and relaxed soul —yet it was a huge flop on its release. There’s no real reason for this, other than bad timing. Opening track “Get It Up for Love” may be one of the finest blue-eyed soul songs ever laid down, and would sit nicely alongside Hall and Oates’ 1981 classic “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)”. Time for a revival. listen to these albums at READERSDIGEST.CO.UK/LISTEN
On Our Radar Wilderness festival, Oxfordshire, Aug 6–9 Music, theatre,
talks and much more. England v Australia, The Oval, London, Aug 20–24 The
Ashes cricket contest reaches its climax. Newlyn Fish Festival, Cornwall, Aug 31 Quirky events
of a fishy variety.
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