Duty calls and a few good men answer

IF one had to choose between A Good Woman and A Few Good Men, I'd urge you to go for blokes.

Duty calls and the men answer

IF one had to choose between A Good Woman (Saturday, 3.15am, Romance) and A Few Good Men (Sunday, noon, Masterpiece), I'd urge you to go for blokes.

The former is a misbegotten 1930s update of Oscar Wilde's play Lady Windermere's Fan, and the latter a fine military drama based on a hit Broadway play by Aaron Sorkin. Rob Reiner directs a top-notch cast, including Tom Cruise as a US Navy lawyer investigating the death of a marine. But the acting honours go to Jack Nicholson as Colonel Jessup, the sly, unscrupulous base commander determined to cover up a potential scandal. The climactic courtroom scene is among the best I've seen.

And When Did You Last See Your Father? (Wednesday, 10.20pm, Romance) is an exquisitely moving study of filial love and loyalty directed by Anand Tucker. And when did you last see such a richly enjoyable, deeply affecting and disarmingly funny film about the death of a beloved parent? The father is Arthur Morrison (Jim Broadbent), a doctor dying of cancer. And when did you last see a film about the domestic lives of doctors? Doctors are only seen in films in hospital emergency rooms, delivering babies or pronouncing dire tidings. Arthur and his devoted son (Colin Firth) could pass for father and son in real life, so striking is the resemblance between them. The strength of the film lies in its revelation that behind Arthur's fun-loving bluster is a selfish, bullying old codger. I remember Tucker for his excellent Hilary and Jackie, about the cellist Jacqueline du Pre, another story about the impact of a devastating illness. And When Did You Last See Your Father? is told with the same love and restraint.

The Italian Job (Saturday, 2.20pm, Action) is a remake of the 1969 crime caper with Michael Caine, this time with Mark Wahlberg in the Caine role, supported by Charlize Theron. It compares well with the original, though one misses Caine's line when his henchman uses too much explosive to break into a car: "You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off." Those planning to see 12 Years a Slave, now in cinemas, may want to catch Shame (Monday, 6am, Masterpiece), director Steve McQueen's previous film with Michael Fassbender, in which Fassbender plays a sex addict. Another sad film about the dark side of humanity, for those who like that sort thing. Otherwise there's Manhattan Murder Mystery (Monday, noon, Comedy), an enjoyable prank about a couple (Woody Allen and Diane Keaton) who suspect their neighbour of murdering his wife.

A Few Good Men (M)

4 stars

Sunday, noon, Masterpiece

And When Did You Last See Your Father (M)

4 stars

Wednesday, 10.20pm, Romance

Manhattan Murder Mystery (M)

3.5 stars

Monday, noon, Comedy