This week's cultural highlights span from a poignant coming-of-age film set in Luton to a disturbing documentary about a Hollywood star. The Guardian's critics have weighed in on the best television, film, books, and albums, offering a diverse array of recommendations that cater to all tastes.
Television: Jared Leto Documentary Sparks Controversy
The standout television pick is Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Dark Secret, now available on BBC iPlayer. This unsettling documentary features four women who speak out about their underage experiences with the actor and musician. Stuart Heritage's review describes it as “a disturbing look at what is alleged to be a skin-crawling pattern of behaviour.” The documentary sheds light on allegations that have remained largely hidden, prompting a necessary conversation about power and accountability in Hollywood.
Another notable TV offering is Furious on Disney+, an enormously entertaining crime drama about a female serial killer, powered by its female characters' unfaltering current of rage. Lucy Mangan calls it “television for grownups, television to pay attention to and to entertain you enormously.” The series stars Emmy Rossum as FBI agent Alice Black, delivering a performance that captivates from start to finish.
Gomorrah Prequel and Other TV Gems
For fans of mob dramas, Gomorrah: The Origins on Now offers a prequel to the hit series with a cheeky, fresh take on the genre. Jack Seale notes, “You half-expect a young Al Pacino to walk into shot.” The series promises to delve into the origins of the infamous crime syndicate, providing context and depth to the original storyline.
If you missed Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed on Apple TV, it's worth catching up on. This moreish, inventive, and twisty drama follows a woman being blackmailed by a camboy. Lucy Mangan describes it as “a sure-footed and completely bingeable thriller with an edge of unpredictability that holds you doubly fast to your seat.” Tatiana Maslany stars in this gripping tale that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
Film: Ish – A Poetic Coming-of-Age Story
The film pick of the week is Ish, directed by Imran Perretta, now in cinemas. Set in Luton, this coming-of-age story explores how racial profiling pushes two teen friends apart. Peter Bradshaw's review praises it as “a poignant and poetic urban pastoral about young masculinity, Muslim and south Asian communities, and the seedy and insidious new petty harassment of racial profiling and facial recognition tech.” The film has been lauded for its sensitive portrayal of these issues, and it marks a significant debut in British cinema.
Further reading on the film reveals that the director himself experienced a childhood stop-and-search, which he says was “100% the moment I lost innocence.” This personal connection adds a layer of authenticity to the film's narrative.
Spider-Man and Wham! Documentaries
In the realm of blockbusters, Spider-Man: Brand New Day sees Tom Holland return as the vexed webslinger, opposite Zendaya. Peter Bradshaw notes that it's “an entertaining spectacle,” though he adds that it “always gravitates towards apocalyptic but weirdly temporary destruction in the digitally confected big city.” The film offers a mix of shocking moments and occasional sluggishness, but it remains a must-see for Marvel fans.
For music enthusiasts, Wham! 10 Days in China is a documentary that reveals the pop duo's groundbreaking 1985 tour of communist China, using footage shot by Lindsay Anderson. Bradshaw remarks, “In our modern age, the movie and music businesses routinely consider China as the key element of the all-important Asian market, but in 1985, Michael and Ridgeley were the Kirk and Spock of the charts, going where no pop act had gone before.” The documentary offers a fascinating glimpse into a historic moment in pop culture.
Classic Films: The Sacrifice and Solo Sunny
Andrei Tarkovsky's tragic final film, The Sacrifice (1986), is also in cinemas, featuring a retired actor who makes a bargain with God. Bradshaw calls it “brilliant and audacious, with one of the most extraordinary final sequences in modern cinema.” This is a must-watch for cinephiles seeking profound and thought-provoking cinema.
Additionally, Konrad Wolf's 1980 drama Solo Sunny is available on Mubi, telling the story of a singer trying to escape the drab compromises of GDR life. Bradshaw highlights the melancholy in the shots of “gaunt tenements, uncool denims and boxy Trabants on the gritty streets of Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg.”
Books: Gaining Ground and More
In literature, Joan Barfoot's Gaining Ground is a landmark Canadian novel about a woman who leaves her family in search of her self. Anne Enright's review praises it as “a wonderful slow burn of a book and Barfoot’s originality and control remain exciting, nearly half a century on.” The novel's exploration of identity and freedom continues to resonate with readers today.
Other notable books include Upland by Ed Douglas, a beguiling history of Britain's high places, and Mario Vargas Llosa by Gerald Martin, which chronicles the Peruvian Nobel laureate's journey from staunch socialist to Margaret Thatcher fanboy. Pratinav Anil's review notes that “his brief flirtation was not with socialism so much as with a socialist: the dazzling, unattainable Lea Barba.”
Albums: Shaboozey and Arca Lead the Pack
In music, Shaboozey's The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales is a striking addition to the country concept album canon. Alexis Petridis writes, “Beneath the Hollywood narrators, Pink Floyd-y interludes and accompanying comic books lies songwriting that proves the Tipsy singer’s breakout success was no fluke.” The album is a testament to Shaboozey's artistry and storytelling prowess.
Arca's XXXXX is another must-listen, described by Shaad D’Souza as “one of Arca’s densest and best: music for the body and brain that is unrelenting and unerringly brilliant.” The album jumbles the building blocks of electronic music to create a beautiful, disorienting sound world.
Live Music: Luke Combs Tour
For those seeking live music, Luke Combs is currently touring, with performances at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh and Wembley Stadium in London from 31 July to 2 August. Katie Hawthorne's review of his Edinburgh show notes that “By storming closer Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma, Combs is crackling with energy, his arms in the air, humbleness be damned – and deservedly so.” Combs delivers two hours of crowd-pleasing hits that showcase his vocal firepower.
