* indicates a capsule review from Chicago Tribune archives.
(diamond) indicates a film that is not reviewed, but of interest.
After Hours Film Society
Tivoli Theatre
5021 Highland Ave.,
Downers Grove
630-534-4528
afterhoursfilmsociety.com
*”Happy-Go-Lucky” *** 1/2 (U.K.; Mike Leigh, 2008) Leigh’s most buoyantly comic feature is a marvelous showcase for Sally Hawkins as Poppy, a grade school instructor whose driving lessons from the sour Scott (Eddie Marsan) open a window on both their characters. 7:30 p.m. Mon.
Alliance Francaise de Chicago
810 N. Dearborn St.
312-337-1070
af-chicago.org
*”The Valet”** 1/2 (France; Frances Weber, 2007). The latest from writer-director Francis Veber finds his frequently used timid Everyman character — Francois Pignon, a lovelorn car-parker (Gad Elmaleh) — smitten by a bookseller (Virginie Ledoyen), with a supermodel playing matchmaker for them. 7 p.m. Wed.
BACinema
Beverly Arts Center
2407 W. 111th St.
773-445-3838
beverlyartcenter.org
*”The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” *** (UK/USA; Mark Herman, 2008) Herman maintains the oversimplification of historical events in his film adaptation of John Boyne’s novel, in which a young boy’s point of view and his unlikely friendship with a concentration camp inmate construct an allegory about the Holocaust. But Herman nonetheless crafts an affecting drama that refuses to soft-pedal its conclusion. 7:30 p.m. Wed.
Bank of America Cinema
4901 W. Irving Park Rd.
312-904-9442
(diamond) “The Black Book” (U.K.; Anthony Mann, 1948) A noir version of the French revolution with Robert Cummings as an emissary of Lafayette working undercover to defeat Robespierre (played by Richard Basehart). 8 p.m. Sat.
Northbrook Public Library
1201 Cedar Lane
847-272-6224
northbrook.info/lib(underscore)programs(underscore)films.php
*”The Hustler” **** (U.S.; Robert Rossen, 1961) Nobody can play arrogant and scared like Paul Newman. Nobody besides Jackie Gleason could’ve played Minnesota Fats. Nobody could bellow about someone owing him money like George C. Scott, and nobody can play “haunted emotional invalid” like Piper Laurie. Robert Rossen’s direction is melancholy, and the story has to do with the sanctity, geography and metaphysical power of the pool table. 1, 7:30 p.m. Wed.
