Films: Extra Ordinary & Jackie

Well, tonight's telly saw a film I'd never heard of, much less seen. Extra Ordinary is a gentle Irish comedy, starring comedian Maeve Higgins as a psychic driving instructor, and Barry Ward as a misfortunate man, who not only has to deal with the irritable poltergeist of his late wife, but now his teenage daughter is being sought as the virgin sacrifice for a demonic ceremony. Carrie Crowley shows up as a TV presenter.

Ah, 'tis lovely. You know, I was never keen on Maeve Higgins' comedy, but I think this film suits her perfectly. Quietly surreal, it takes us through her acknowledgement of her gift, as she is persuaded to help this man. Because he's kind of cute, like. All sorts of weirdness ensues, as she has to collect the ectoplasm of seven ghosts. He wonders where on earth they'll get that - ah, she says, you'd be surprised. And so she starts to visit all those folks with haunting problems, whose calls she's been avoiding.. Highly recommended, if you come across it.

And lo, when it was finished, I could turn over to Jackie! Now, this is one I did hear of, but never saw. Natalie Portman stars, in an award-nominated role, as the title character, Jackie O, whose first husband, JFK, has just been assassinated. (Well, he had by the time I started watching.) Peter Sarsgaard is his brother, Bobby, John Hurt plays her confessor, Billy Crudup the journalist writing her story, John Carroll Lynch is Lyndon B. Johnson. Also stars Richard E. Grant.

I can see why she was nominated for this - she deftly combines personal shock and grief with the composure and organisation required by her position as First Lady. And she demonstrates great strength, after the assassination, in ensuring her late husband's legacy - and fighting his powerful family when necessary, as well as the diplomats that all seem to know how things should be done. She walks a delicate path, always capable of steely resolve, and yet always seeming on the brink of a nervous breakdown. Snappy editing reflects to us viewers the stress she is under. We all know there's more to her story, but this film just covers the period up to the funeral, when she had to make so many decisions with political import. An excellent story, told from the perspective of one of the most famous widows in history.

For last Sunday, I was thinking of The King's Man. Set in the early years of the 20th century, this is the most stylish of spy dramas - a kind of early James Bond film - and I love the series. Stars Ralph Fiennes as the stylish spy, and Rhys Ifans as Rasputin. Should be great fun! The Omniplex, as usual, has the cheapest ticket prices.

..but my mother was speaking to someone who told her that Covid was rampant in Limerick. And by the time I'd argued with her over it, and she sighed "Oh, go if you want to," it was too late anyway, for the showing I'd wanted. I had kind of agreed not to go anywhere on Monday either, so - with Tesco delivering this afternoon, and me having to be there to meet them - it's now looking like tomorrow. I live in hope. Well, it's not like there are that many I want to see, locally, anyway.