Hailing from the director of Alien, Blade Runner and Gladiator – it’s a forgotten gem.
Our TV movie pick for tonight (Saturday, 14 December) is Someone to Watch Over Me, the great if underseen 1987 romantic thriller directed by Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator).
The film revolves around a Manhattan socialite named Claire Gregory (Mimi Rogers, Austin Powers) who witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of Joey Venza (Andreas Katsulas, The Fugitive), a ruthless mobster.
As such, rookie detective Mike Keegan (Tom Berenger, Platoon) is assigned to protect her.
“While working on the case, Mike quickly falls in love with Claire, leaving his wife, Ellie (Lorraine Bracco, Goodfellas), devastated,” the plot synopsis reads.
“Mike is forced to choose between the two women he loves while fending off Venza, who will stop at nothing to get to Claire.”
Boasting Scott’s trademark stylish direction, as well as a gripping story and terrific performances, Someone to Watch Over Me deserved to have been a bigger hit than it was upon release.
The thriller is airing on TV tonight/tomorrow morning on RTÉ One at 1.15am.
And if you can’t record the movie, it should be available to stream on the RTÉ Player after it airs.
Here are the other films airing on TV tonight:
In the Name of the Father – RTÉ2 – 9pm
Daniel Day-Lewis headlines this incredible biographical drama based on the true story of the Guildford Four, four people falsely convicted of the 1974 Guildford pub bombings.
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit – Film4 – 9pm
Chris Pine is the titular CIA man created by author Tom Clancy in this decent action thriller.
Private Benjamin – Comedy Central – 9pm
The beloved ’80s comedy starring Goldie Hawn as a sheltered young high-society woman who joins the US Army on a whim.
Bird on a Wire – Legend Xtra – 9pm
Goldie Hawn stars again, this time in a ’90s action comedy opposite Mel Gibson.
Amy – Sky Arts – 9pm
The Oscar-winning documentary about legendary singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse.
Office Christmas Party – Sky Max – 9pm
A raunchy Christmas-set comedy, featuring amongst its cast Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston.
Machete Kills – Legend – 9pm
Danny Trejo leads an all-star cast in this action sequel that homages older B-movies and exploitation films.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople – TG4 – 9.10pm
The wonderful comedy-drama from writer-director Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, What We Do in the Shadows) about a father figure (Sam Neill) and foster son (Julian Dennison) who become the targets of a manhunt after fleeing into the New Zealand bush.
The Green Mile – Channel 4 – 9.35pm
An excellent Stephen King adaptation starring Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan.
The Silence of the Lambs – ITV4 – 10.30pm
The only horror movie to ever win the Best Picture Oscar.
Man on Fire – Film4 – 11.10pm
Denzel Washington’s powerful revenge action thriller that we’ve recommended before.
Thick as Thieves – Legend – 11.10pm
An average heist action thriller starring Antonio Banderas and Morgan Freeman.
Smokey and the Bandit – RTÉ2 – 11.25pm
Burt Reynolds stars as a truck-driving bootlegger in this ’70s smash hit action-comedy.
A Quiet Place – RTÉ One – 11.40pm
This brilliant horror thriller that launched a franchise is set in a world invaded by blind creatures that hunt via sound.
Read more:
- Dark and moody new detective thriller series now available to stream
- Prime Video has just added one of 2024’s biggest action movies
- Netflix’s ‘fantastic’ new action thriller dubbed ‘best Christmas movie of the year’
- An excellently twisty legal thriller movie is on TV tonight
- Cú Chulainn ‘in the present day’ movie in the works from Kin creator
- Kin creator opens up about possibility of Season 3 for the hit Irish crime drama
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