THERE ARE no fewer than five British features opening at US theaters this week, with something for every taste.
For lovers of great acting and a classic spy saga, you can’t miss Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, based on the John Le Carré novel of the same name, featuringsome of the best of Britain’s acting talent. Expect powerful performances from Gary Oldman as George Smiley, the MI5 spymaster brought back from retirement to find a Soviet mole. Oldman enjoys sterling support from Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, John Hurt, Ciaran Hinds and Tom Hardy. Expect an engrossing and gripping recreation of the novel that more than holds its own against the classic TV miniseries starring Sir Alec Guinness from three decades ago.
A more daring picture by far is Shame, the latest offering from acclaimed British director Steve McQueen. Michael Fassbender is in riveting form as a sexually addicted New York executive while Carey Mulligan is, as usual, compelling as the woman who might just save him from his base compulsions. Expect a very graphic, challenging moviegoing experience.
Irish documentary Knuckle is getting a limited theatrical release this week and is available on Video on Demand as well (check your local listings for availability). The film, from Irish director Ian Palmer, offers an unflinching look inside the often-closed world of Irish travelers through their bare-knuckle fistfights. Knuckle won great acclaim when it debuted at the beginning of the year at the Sundance Film Festival, and is opened locally at Laemmle’s Monica on December 9th. The documentary is also being adapted into a HBO series by Irvine Welsh of Trainspotting fame.
Psychological thriller We Need To Talk About Kevin, starring British actress Tilda Swinton also opened this week at LA’s Silent Movie Theatre. The film won best movie at the recent London Film Festival and has been travelling across the US for the past couple of months being shown at all the festivals. In short, it’s the story of the relationship between a mother and her son, who turns out to be the culprint in a monstrous school massacre.
Finally there is the small British film London River, starring BAFTA winner Brenda Blethyn which gets a limited releaseat Laemmle’s Royal theatre in West LA next Friday (Dec. 16th. The film follows two unlikely characters who are drawn together following the London terrorist attacks of July 7th, 2005.
All in all, there’s plenty of British cheer for your entertainment needs this festive season. Get out there and enjoy some…
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