Square Eyes

Television Reviews

Movie of the week, Lantana, NBN, Sat, 9.30pm:

This quietly stunning Australian drama is a slow-burning meditation on fidelity, truth, communication and honesty in relationships. Four dysfunctional couples have vaguely interconnected lives. Valerie (Barbra Hershey), a therapist, is married to John (Geoffrey Rush), but their love is lost in trauma. Copper Leon (Anthony LaPaglia) and wife Sonja (Kerry Armstrong) are both mystified by how their love evaporated. Nik (Vince Colosimo) and Paula (Daniela Farinacci) are sticking by each other with youthful naivety. Next door, Jane (Rachael Blake) is separated, lonely and having an affair with Leon. The reverberations as they thrash about seeking clarity is powerful and moving. It's a rare gem.

American Pie 2, Ten, Fri, 8.30pm:

Probably the most effort that went into this tediously unfunny sequel is pondering how much money they were going to make. It's a barely tepid, plotless reheat of the gross out original, that wallows in sentimentality with the same cast gathering after their first year at uni for more shagging.

The Man who sued God, Prime, Sun, 8.30pm:

Steve Myers (Billy Connolly) is a dropout lawyer-turned-fisherman enjoying the quiet life until a bolt of lightning destroys his boat. His insurance company tries to weasel out of paying by calling it an "act of God", so he decides to sue God via the church. A hard-nosed journalist (Judy Davis) wants to rip into his folly. It's a mix of slapstick comedy with poignant and serious underpinnings, pondering the role of God in a consumerist society, yet maintains a quirky Australian charm.

The Wedding Planner, NBN, Sun, 9pm:

About 10 minutes into this leaden romantic comedy, you'll know what's coming. If braindead floss is your Sunday night poison, sit back as a peppy wedding organiser (J Lo) does the biz for a high-powered client while flirting with a cute doctor (Matthew McConaughey). Amidst the saccharine clichés, there are lots of uncomfortable moments as she ponders gazumping her client.

Sisters, Pearls & Mission Girls, ABC, Sun, 10.05pm:

In 1907, a group of young Irish nuns headed for the pearling town of Broome, WA, hoping to to "civilise the natives". This doco, using archival footage, re-enactments and contemporary anecdotes, is a tale of faith, cultural imperialism, commercial exploitation and political incompetence in an extraordinary "Wild West" town lucky to have some incredible nuns.

The Joe Schmo Show, NBN, Weds, 10.30pm:

Not a title that's easy to pronounce after an hour in the pub, this latest silly reality deception features a bloke trying to win $100 grand. The eight rival contestants are all actors. Isn't it bad enough that world leaders lie to us, why do we have to watch lies as entertainment?