Freeview film of the day : wednesday 26th of February

Beginners (2010 99min.) [C4 12.05am thursday &+1]
Freeview premiere

Drama starring Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer. Troubled artist Oliver tries to draw inspiration from his father, Hal, who discovered a new zest for life after coming out as gay at the age of 75.

Beautifully handled by writer-director Mike Mills the film manages to avoid all of the potential pitfalls that the subject matter puts in its way.
There's a subtle performance by Plummer and although McGregor is a bit more ham-fisted the part is so well written that he gets away with it.
Strong support from Goran Visnjic and Mélanie Laurent help create a believable world and deliver a very well constructed little film. Neatly done by all concerned.


4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007 108min.) [Film4 1.20am thursday &+1]

Drama starring Anamaria Marinca and Laura Vasiliu. Romania in 1987, the last days of the Ceausescu regime: Otilia is helping her roommate Gabita obtain an illegal abortion, which is available on the black market along with everything they need to pay for it. A dehumanising process of bartering and begging ensues, bringing the women closer to what could be a dangerous encounter for both of them.

The film has two main themes : to act as a record of the hideous nature of the Ceausescu regime and the depravations it placed on the ordinary citizen, and also as a song of praise to the way in which basic humanity and friendship can still overcome even the most restrictive of circumstances and the callous exploitation of the situation that those with any degree of power are able to exert (see the scene where the women visit Vlad Ivonov's backstreet abortionist).

Superby directed by Cristian Mungiu who focuses on the small detail and the closeness of the two women and beautifully photographed by Oleg Mutu; the film won the Cannes Palme D'Or in 2007 and it's easily one of the ten best films released that year.