FILMS AND TV YOU MAY HAVE MISSED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2019

So far, 2019 has been a year of ups and downs for film and television. We’ve had immense successes, like ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and ‘Chernobyl’, and... smaller successes (I really don’t think the eighth season of ‘Game of Thrones’ was that bad, but it would seem that the entirety of the Internet disagrees!). However, concealed by the midst of hype and controversy, there have been some hidden gems in both cinema and television. These are my four choices of TV shows and films you may have missed this year so far:

‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ was released on 1st February in the United Kingdom in a select few cinemas and for a very limited time. Despite garnering acclaim from critics, currently holding a score of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film only grossed $11.7 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. A biographical film adapted from the memoirs of Lee Israel, a failing author who resorts to fraud to try to spark her career, the film is driven by the compelling performances of Melissa McCarthy, who plays Israel, and Richard E. Grant, playing the role of Israel’s friend Jack. In a similar way to the also critically successful ‘I, Tonya’, the film manages to make a character who was villainised and looked down on by the media into a relatable and sympathetic person who you just want to succeed, even though they may not always be doing quite the right thing. Nominated for three Academy Awards (Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay), ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ is a moving drama about struggling out of the lowest points in life and is definitely worth watching when it’s re-released.

DC’s streaming platform ‘DC Universe’ didn’t exactly get off to the most promising start, with its first major show being ‘Titans’, which had some major pacing issues but was somewhat well-received. Luckily for its subscribers, DC released ‘Doom Patrol’ at the beginning of this year and by the time the show had finished its first season, it had been lauded by critics and fans all over. It tells the familiar origin story of a group of unlikely heroes who have to assemble in order to take down a powerful villain. But don’t let the familiar premise drive you away from this amazing show! ‘Doom Patrol’ is worryingly hilarious given how grim and dark it should be, with its endearing and well-acted characters helping it to stand out from an otherwise overcrowded genre of TV. DC have already commissioned a second season, so expect a follow-up to drop by this time next year!

Hollywood has had its fair share of ‘a star is born’ stories, especially with the third remake of the 1939 classic smashing the box office and pleasing all critics last year. However, ‘Wild Rose’ puts its own spin on this formula, coming out as one of the best dramas of the year so far and one of the best musicals since the surge in popularity following ‘La La Land’. The musical drama follows the life of Rose-Lynn, a Glaswegian ex-convict, played by the rising star Jessie Buckley, who you can also catch in ‘Chernobyl’, with a passion for country music and a talent for singing who is finally given the opportunity to ‘go big’. Unlike many other similar stories, the film isn’t just about Rose-Lynn's talent and gift; it’s about her maturity, her responsibility and the impact that her undying ambition has on those around her. Even though she’s reckless, crude and immature, Rose-Lynn manages to be one of the most likable protagonists I’ve ever come across in a film and there was not a single point the film where I wasn’t rooting for her and her goals. ‘Wild Rose’ is a very good musical drama made outstanding by the contagious charisma and phenomenal talent of Jessie Buckley, who’ll have you laughing and crying during its whole 100-minute run.

The first season of ‘Derry Girls’ was released last year and unanimously praised for its talented young cast, writing and clever usage of its setting during the Troubles in 90s Northern Ireland. Fortunately for the fanbase, the second season was released this year and somehow managed to be even better than the first, to a shockingly great extent. The series follows the same group of four teenage girls from Derry (and James, one of the girls’ cousins from England) and their teenage lives against a troubled political backdrop. Lisa McGee, the creator of the series, captures the way that people have to simply continue their lives as normal in the midst of a harsh and brutal political climate, intelligently blending the trivial events in the lives of the characters and the much darker setting. All the characters are extraordinarily hilarious and human, making the cast even more likable as a whole; even the supporting characters have their scenes, sometimes whole episodes, in the spotlight. ‘Derry Girls’ is one of the most poignant comedies on television in recent years, which truly takes advantage of its setting at all times, whether that’s to have you breaking down in laughter or in tears.

Luckily, we’ve still got half of 2019 left, with more major releases like ‘Once Upon A Time in Hollywood’and‘The Crown’, being heavily anticipated and many more sleeper hits to be discovered.