Good Night, and Good Luck: Live from Broadway (12)
Directed by Micah Bickham (film) & David Cromer (stage)
★★★★☆

A RECORDED stage performance based on a 2005 film may sound uninspiring, but George Clooney and Grant Heslov have adapted and updated their original screenplay to powerful effect. 

Broadcaster Ed Murrow’s conflict with conservative demagogue Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s has contemporary relevance. The themes of corrupt governance and manufactured crisis are highlighted in opening and closing speeches. Thes are packed with contemporary allusions but delivered by Clooney in character as Murrow: this is a risky dramatic device but an effective one.

The dynamic stage design conjures a clamorous, chaotic TV newsroom, while the cast create a compelling sense of the exhaustion and danger of speaking truth to power. The writers and directors avoid two common pitfalls of historical drama: first, they resist the temptation to reduce this dark historical episode to a tale of hero and villain: McCarthy is portrayed as a symptom of institutional toxicity and there is an emphasis on solidarity underpinning resistance to the “witch hunts.” Secondly, portentousness is avoided through seamlessly blended moments of comedy. The only false note is a clunky joke about Clooney’s relocation to France.   

The production’s wit and energy is deftly captured by Micah Bickham. Its fragmented style – naturalistic conversations, stylised projections, songs and newsreel footage – is entertaining and reflects the illusions of global media. The closing montage reinforces Chris Hedges’s claim that the media manipulates and distracts us with “the celluloid shadows on the wall of Plato’s cave.”

Our currently meagre resistance to technologically mediated disinformation makes this essential viewing.
AH
Available now on Netflix

Becoming Victoria Wood (15)
Directed by Catherine Abbot
★★★☆☆

HAILED as a comic genius Victoria Wood fought misogyny, sexism and fat shaming in order to break into the all male world of standup and comedy. 

Through her own words and those of her former friends and colleagues this fascinating documentary directed by Catherine Abbott provides a valuable insight into her life and work. 

She is described as being terribly shy and insecure and constantly being berated by the press for her looks and demeanour.  

The film charts her longtime collaboration with Julie Walters who does not feature in it along with any of her family. Instead the likes of Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Michael Ball and Maxine Peake amongst others shed light on Victoria Wood the person and the comedian. 

She was a trailblazer who opened the door for all the female comedians who came after her and Abbott’s eye opening work pays homage to her extraordinary talent and her legacy. 
MD
In cinemas January 9

Hamnet (12A)
Directed by Chloe Zhao
★★★☆☆

OSCAR winning director Chloe Zhao returns with a powerful and primal drama which explores love and death and the inspiration behind Shakespeare’s Hamlet. 

It is based on Maggie O’Farrell’s fictional novel Hamnet which she and Zhao adapted for the big screen. From the offset it explains how Hamnet and Hamlet were the same name in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. 

The film follows Agnes (Jessie Buckley), a healer, and an impoverished Will Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) as they fall in love, marry and have a family. It is the death of their young son Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe) from the plague that threatens to tear them apart. 

Crippled by grief and guilt, Agnes stays in Stratford to take care of their two daughters while Will goes back to London where he writes Hamlet for the Globe Theatre. Believed to be inspired by Hamnet’s death, it is Will’s way of dealing with his loss. 

Hamnet is a slow burner driven by an extraordinary and visceral performance by Buckley who portrays despair and giving birth like no other. It culminates in a deeply heartrending final scene, devoid of dialogue, which portrays the healing power of great art and Buckley’s impressive talent.  
MD
In cinemas January 9

Song Sung Blue (12A)
Directed by Craig Brewer
★★★☆☆

THIS unbelievable drama depicts the real-life story of a Milwaukee husband and wife Neil Diamond tribute act and the huge success and devastating heartbreak they endured. 

Written and directed by Craig Brewer, it is based on the 2008 documentary about Mike and Claire Sardina known as “Lightning and Thunder.” It is a story about love, loss, resilience and overcoming adversity. It is hard to believe that one couple could have such bad luck. 

That said, it is Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson’s heartfelt performances as Mike and Claire and pitch perfect renditions of Neil Diamond’s classic songs that makes this a memorable watch. 

It does not really explain the raison d’etre of tribute bands which still remains a mystery to me. 

You will have Neil Diamond songs (Forever In Blue Jeans in my case) stuck in your head for days. 
MD
In cinemas now