Films

OUR TOP FIVE PICKS OF THE WEEK

- WITH FILM EDITOR NIGEL PIZEY

Tár

BBC2 10PM - 12.30AM (NI 11PM - 1.30AM) ★★★★

PREMIERE DRAMA Renowned conductor Lydia Tár (Cate Blanchett) preps for a performance of Mahler's Fifth Symphony in Berlin. Incendiary on stage, Lydia is predatory, provocative and abrasive off it. Rumours of impropriety (sexual, political and professional) dog her as she wrestles with pretenders to her throne (Mark Strong, excellent), social media and her fascination with new cellist, Olga (Sophie Kauer), despite being in a relationship with Sharon (Nina Hoss). Can she stop herself from imploding? Blanchett is sensational in Todd Field's film, which asks questions about cancel culture, artistic integrity and gender, while being an ace primer on classical music. Dir: Todd Field 2022, 15

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande

FILM4 9PM - 10.55PM ★★★★

COMEDY DRAMA In a hotel room, sex worker Leo Grande (Daryl McCormack) meets his latest client, widowed former teacher Nancy (Emma Thompson). Smooth and confident, Leo appears to hold all the cards in a two-hander that unfolds over the course of four assignations. Nancy, however, is a woman determined to have the orgasm she never experienced in 31 years of marriage. Both stars shine brightly in this perceptive comedy drama. Dir: Sophie Hyde 2022, 15

Wolf Man

SKY PREMIERE 8PM - 9.45PM ★★★