OPEN HEARTS (2002)
Sky Cinema 1, 8pm
Made largely according to the Dogme 95 code of strict naturalism, the Danish director Susanne Bier’s emotionally wrenching romantic drama is a spiky examination of grief, love and betrayal. After her boyfriend is paralysed in a road accident, Cæcilie begins an illicit affair with his doctor, Niels, whose wife just happens to be the guilt-wracked woman who ran down her lover. Stylishly shot on hand-held cameras, Open Hearts transcends its melodramatic plot with a credible script and truthful performances. (113 min)
Advertisement
EXTREME MEASURES (1996)
Five, 9pm
A New York doctor (Hugh Grant) is caught on the horns of a dilemma in this sharp medical thriller from Michael Apted. Ditching his trademark puppy-dog bumbling, Grant stars as a trauma physician who falls foul of a sinister senior consultant (Gene Hackman) after the unexplained death of a patient. Despite its plodding pace, Apted’s dark conspiracy yarn is a thought-provoking journey into the murky grey areas of medical ethics. It was produced by Grant and Liz Hurley’s production company, Simian. (118 min)
Advertisement
CRADLE WILL ROCK (1999)
ITV1, 11pm
Tim Robbins directs this politically charged ensemble piece about art and politics in 1930s New York that weaves together the lives of Orson Welles (Angus Macfadyen), Nelson Rockefeller (John Cusack), Diego Rivera (Rubén Blades) and other real figures. Robbins may caricature some themes and characters to fit his political message, but he still delivers a sprawling, audacious, tragicomic epic worthy of Robert Altman — or even Orson Welles himself. The all-star cast includes Emily Watson, Susan Sarandon and Bill Murray. (132 min)