David Attenborough's Secret Garden and Keanu Reeves in Outcome Lead This Week's Culture Reviews
In a week brimming with cultural highlights, Sir David Attenborough turns his legendary lens to the wildlife thriving in British back gardens, while Keanu Reeves takes on a starring role in Jonah Hill's innovative meta comedy-drama. From television dramas to cinematic adaptations and literary explorations, here is an expanded look at the top-rated reviews from the Guardian's culture section.
Television Highlights
Secret Garden on BBC One/iPlayer stands out as a must-watch. Ahead of his 100th birthday, David Attenborough presents a sparkling series that delves into the natural magic occurring close to home. The programme masterfully tells thrilling stories of predation, survival, mating, and nesting, akin to his global expeditions, but set in familiar British settings. Reviewer Jack Seale praises it for capturing the essence of wildlife drama without being preachy, though it may stir debate among cat lovers.
Other notable TV picks include The Assembly on ITV1, where Stephen Fry undergoes a liberating interrogation by neurodivergent young adults, and The Testaments on Disney+, a sequel to The Handmaid's Tale that maintains a brutal tone despite a lighter facade. Additionally, The Other Bennet Sister on BBC/iPlayer offers a fresh Pride & Prejudice spin-off, focusing on Mary Bennet's spirited coming-of-age story, with Ella Bruccoleri delivering a charming performance.
Film Focus
In cinemas, The Stranger adapts Albert Camus's L'Etranger with a contemporary perspective on empire and race, receiving acclaim for its beautiful monochrome realisation. Father Mother Sister Brother by Jim Jarmusch explores family dynamics across three comic panels, while Stand By Me celebrates its 40th anniversary with a rerelease of this classic coming-of-age drama. California Schemin', James McAvoy's directorial debut, tells the true story of Scottish rappers pretending to be Americans, blending oddity with con game excitement.
Streaming now, Outcome on Apple TV features Keanu Reeves as a megastar actor hiding a drug addiction in Jonah Hill's spoof, supported by performances from Laverne Cox and Drew Barrymore.
Literary and Musical Reviews
In books, London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe investigates a teenager's unexplained death in a grimly absorbing manner, while Go Gentle by Maria Semple offers a New York romcom with stoic philosophy. The Black Death: A Global History by Thomas Asbridge delves into the human impact of the pandemic, and Upward Bound by Woody Brown presents a non-speaking autistic author's debut about life in an adult daycare centre.
Albums of the week include My New Band Believe, where Cameron Picton shifts from chaos to acoustic instrumentation, and Czech Philharmonic/Bychkov: Mahler Symphonies 1–9, praised for its meticulous and imaginative cycle. Reckonwrong: How Long Has It Been? showcases bedroom-pop ballads, and Holly Humberstone: Cruel World features euphoric choruses and 80s synths. Live performances highlight James touring the UK with a set spanning five decades.
This week's culture reviews underscore a diverse array of entertainment, from intimate wildlife documentaries to bold cinematic and literary explorations, offering something for every cultural enthusiast.
