Films: April 12 - 18

The Map Of Tiny Perfect Things (2021)

Flawless (2007)

Fair Game (1995) 

Magic Mountains (2020) 

No Stranger Than Love (2015) 

Ne le dis à personne (Tell No One) (2007) 

Above Suspicion (2019) ///

The Map Of Tiny Perfect Things (2021) Spirited Kathryn Newton and Kyle Allen find they're stuck living the same day over and over, infectious appeal matched by energy and humor of filmmaking.  Conclusion features satisfying shift of focus that ties character and narrative threads together.

Flawless (2007) Mildly suspenseful, somberly set heist drama, with ambitious Demi Moore facing sexism in 1960s London diamond company and persuaded by devious Michael Caine to help in robbery. Solid production and intriguing characters, uneven pacing and twists not so compelling. 

Fair Game (1995) Pitched at a feverish pace, polished action evolves from fanciful to ludicrous, as sharp lawyer Cindy Crawford and glowering cop William Baldwin are on the run from high tech Russians. Without sense of character amid narrative confusion, tension is drained, leaving empty stunts and explosions.

Magic Mountains (2020) Unfussy visuals conjure alternately enticing and threatening atmosphere as gradually unnerved Hannah Hoekstra accepts ex-husband Thomas Ryckewaert's invitation to go for last adventure before suspecting deadly motive. Oblique emotions surrender thrills to chilly doom.

No Stranger Than Love (2015) Desired by everyone in a small town, teacher Alison Brie is about to release inhibitions with married Colin Hanks when he falls through hole in floor. Assorted quirky characters flounder within undeveloped concept, murky symbolism unable to connect with fitful humor.

Ne le dis à personne (Tell No One) (2006) Stylish, propulsive thriller elevates pulp narrative with sharp rhythms, fluid action and fun surprises. Eight years after being accused of wife's unsolved murder, haunted François Cluzet receives message saying she's alive, a setup for chase thrills and rewarding mystery.

Above Suspicion (2019) Cold visuals trap Emilia Clarke in bleak Kentucky town, dealing drugs, suffering abuse and coping with two children while ambitious FBI Agent Jack Huston tragically exploits her hopes. Sleek, empty production wallows in grim, violent lives and unremitting cruelty to damaged heroine.

Best Of British (86 - 90)

Blithe Spirit (1945) 

The Battle Of The Sexes (1959)

Laughter In Paradise (1951)

Good Morning Boys (1937)

The Card (1952) ///

Blithe Spirit (1945) Frothy collaboration of Noel Coward's perennial wit and David Lean's elegant visuals, a delightfully batty medium Margaret Rutherford upends cynical Rex Harrison and Constance Cummings' life by calling up dead wife, Kay Hammond. A sprightly score adds energy.

The Battle Of The Sexes (1959) Gently ironic clash of modern business strategies and obstinate tradition as mild accountant Peter Sellers clashes with assertive Constance Cummings when she advises Robert Morley on his inherited Scottish textiles company. Adroit mix of verbal and physical comedy.

Laughter In Paradise (1951) Genial farce sees four family members forced to endure humiliation in order to receive inheritance. Mildly appealing and briskly shaped, highlighted by trials of lonely Fay Compton and suffering endured by wearied Alastair Sim.

Good Morning Boys (1937) Incompetent schoolteacher Will Hay and unruly class somehow win trip to Paris, spar with singer Lilli Palmer and manage to prevent theft of Mona Lisa. Series of comic set pieces and verbal confusion maintain affectionately anarchic momentum amid disposable plot.

The Card (1952) William Alwyn's playful, cunning score is a delicious accompaniment to Alec Guinness' often devious, sometimes poignant chancer whose rise up social and financial ladders is complicated by wily Glynis Johns. Lightly satiric and visually rich, as enticing as its lead.