Square Eyes

Television Reviews

Movie of the week, Safe Conduct, SBS, Weds, 10pm:

This French wartime epic seems ponderously long (163 mins), but it packs a lot into that time. Set in 1940s Paris, it follows the moral conflicts in the real-life stories of two Jeans: a scriptwriter (Denis Podalydes) and director (Jacques Gamblin). The former avoids the Nazis, the latter collaborates as cover for his role in the Resistance, putting subversive messages in his work. It's a complex portrayal of how France survived under occupation, as well as an exploration of artistic integrity, with drama, romance, tragedy, heroism and political intrigue thrown in for good measure.

The Replacements, NBN, Fri, 8.30pm:

It's a well-worn, clichéd, predictable story about a ragtag footy team who find themselves in the big league thanks to unexpected success. There's the odd funny moment (well, it does claim to be a comedy), but it's mainly gross-out jokes, and even then, nothing new.

Streakers, SBS, Fri, 10pm:

Here's another bit of jolly harmless fun terrorism has ruined. Gone are the days when a skinful and a dare soon had your dangly bits racing across the field to the roar of the crowd. This tongue-in-cheek doco relives those halcyon dares and unveils why people did it.

Hell has harbour views, ABC, Sun, 8.30pm:

A great Aussie telemovie, based on the Richard Beasley novel. An ambitious young lawyer (Matt Day) is prone to Hamlet-like doubts and musings as he climbs the greasy pole. Bonking an idealistic (hah!) journalist (an excellent Lisa McCune) behind his girlfriend's (Marta Dusseldorp) back doesn't make things any clearer. It's a Faustian tale of dodgy lawyers, with a great support cast.

Starstruck, NBN, Mon, 7.30pm:

Australian Idol meets Extreme Makeover. Scary.

Desperate Housewives, Prime, Mon, 8.30pm:

For once the hype is justified. This American satirical soapie will be irresistibly addictive. It's an oddball, dark drama about four women - a former model and unfaithful trophy wife (Eva Longaria), a divorced mum (Teri Hatcher), a career woman turned full-time mum (Felicity Huffman) and an anal-retentive wife with a supposedly textbook marriage (Marcia Cross). They're all totally dysfunctional, especially their friend and narrator Mary (Brenda Strong) who tops herself in the opening episode. From there on, it's a matter of assembling the jigsaw.

The Persuaders, SBS, Tues, 8.30pm:

This is a scary doco for what it reveals about politics and advertising and how close we're getting to Big Brother moments. In the 2004 US elections, both sides used narrowcasting, which involves crafting and delivering tailored messages to individual voters based on their demographic profiles. And the more resistant we become to advertising, the more devious and surreptitious marketers become.

My Restaurant Rules, Prime, Thurs, 7.30pm:

If you're wondering how closely this game show reflects the industry, you only have to look at the fact that it's now being hosted by a music industry executive. Oh, and that last year's winners from Perth closed not long after the cameras left. Nevertheless, it's enjoyable blood sport, which is why diners go to be on telly and not for the food.