 Square Eyes
Television Reviews
Movie of the week, Sons and Lovers, ABC, Sun, 8.30pm
This two-part adaptation of the Oedipal DH Lawrence classic sets a cracking pace as family life fractures amidst sexual jealousies and shifting allegiances. Sensitive intellectual Gertrude (Sarah Lancachire) marries proud, spunky miner Walter (Hugo Speer). But as their sexual attraction wanes, their differences exacerbate and Walter gets on the bottle, while she devotes herself to their three kids. Her attentions to the two boys, especially over their tastes in women, is a little too close to the bone. It's hotbed drama, beautifully told and acted, but a little unsettling in places.
An Affair to Remember, Prime, Sat, 3.10pm
They don't make romances this yummy any more. Dashing playboy Cary Grant meets Deborah Kerr on a cruise and things go swimmingly. They agree to meet later atop the Empire State Building, but fate conspires to bring disappointment. It's a gorgeous, haunting box-o-chocolates tale.
Matilda, Ten, Sat, 6.30pm
Bubbly young Mara Wilson is wonderful as the outsider surrounded by corrupt, nasty adults. Roald Dahls' darkly comic story still celebrates the power of love and kindness, and what kid hasn't fantasised about using supernatural powers to give evil teachers their just desserts.
Forces of Nature, NBN, Sat, 7.30pm
A romantic comedy that blends Twister with Planes, trains and automobiles, as Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock eventually fall for each other. He's supposed to be getting hitched to another gal, but everyone warns him off marriage. There are some funny moments amidst a predictable parade of mishaps, misunderstandings and farce.
Ravi Shankar, ABC, Sun, 2pm
For more than half a century, sitar maestro Ravi Shankar has strutted the world stage - he taught the Beatles all those Indian licks for Rubber Soul. This retrospective of the 83-year-old's career is followed by a live performance by the rising star of his daughter, the multi-Grammy winning jazz singer Norah Jones.
Shanghai Noon, Prime, Sun, 8.30pm
Jackie Chan stars as a Chinese Imperial guard sent to America to rescue a kidnapped princess (Lucy Liu). It's a childish melange of self-parodying spaghetti western that's not nearly as funny as it thinks it is. Chan plays his usual wisecracking goof amidst lots of computer-generated fight stunts, but it feels like a B-grade Blazing Saddles.
Entrapment, NBN, Sun, 8.30pm
The Thomas Crown Affair gets mugged in this remake starring Catherine Zeta-Jones' backside and Sean Connery. For those who came in late, he's a 007-ish art thief, she's the insurance investigator set to catch him, but who ends up snogging him instead. It's lame, despite the Bond-like stunts, but at least all those lingering shots of the Zeta-Jones butt help you understand her appeal to Michael Douglas.
Big Daddy, Ten, Sun, 8.30pm
The revolting Adam Sandler pratfalls his way through another puerile comedy with a nasty edge. He's a childish bloke told to grow up or get out by his girlfriend. So what does he do? Adopt a child. Who is going to save the world from such weapons of mass stupidity?
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