Small screen movies

By The Newsroom
Published 5th Mar 2010, 13:29 BST
Updated 7th Mar 2010, 14:32 BST
IN THE LOOP

Sunday, BBC2, 10pm

****

Armando Iannucci's excoriating TV farce, The Thick of It, made a successful transfer to the big screen with this political satire. Set in the lead-up to a potential war in the Middle East, the film broadens the sitcom's universe without sacrificing its kinetic intensity. Peter Capaldi is outstanding as demonic spin doctor Malcolm Tucker, Tom Hollander excels as a feckless MP and James Gandolfini (pictured with Capaldi) is fun as a conflicted US general. Bracingly foul-mouthed.

Also showing

VICTIM

***

Monday, Film4, 2:40pm

In this ground-breaking drama from 1961, Dirk Bogarde stars as a homosexual barrister who takes on a blackmail ring. It's lost a bit of shock factor, but is still powerful.

HOLLYWOODLAND

***

Wednesday, BBC1, 11:25pm

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Intriguing biopic starring Ben Affleck as Superman star, George Reeves, who committed suicide when his career died. The story's framed as a film noir murder mystery.

THE GRADUATE

*****

Thursday, ITV3, 10:55pm

This waspishly comic 1960s masterpiece deservedly transformed Dustin Hoffman into an overnight star. It's as elegant and witty a study of youthful alienation as cinema has ever produced.

• This article was first published in the Scotsman, March 6, 2010