THE COLOUR ROOM (Cert PG, 107 mins, streaming from November 12 exclusively on Sky Cinema, Drama/Romance) Starring: Phoebe Dynevor, Matthew Goode, Rachel Shenton, David Morrissey, Tony Pitts, Kerry Fox, Darci Shaw.
AN OPENING quote from a 1919 edition of Pottery Gazette claims, "No man can appreciate and produce things of beauty whose colour sense is outraged every day by the grime and soot that covers everything."
The word "man" is highlighted, suggesting The Colour Room could be another generic saga about a visionary woman trying to make it in a patriarchal microcosm. Thankfully, director Claire McCarthy's drama is far more rewarding than that.
The "grime" and "soot" are apparent in an impressive opening shot, which sets the scene for this handsomely staged biopic of Clarice Cliff, a young 1920s Midlands factory worker.
McCarthy's picture examines how Cliff risked everything to become one of the great Art Deco designers. Bridgerton's Phoebe Dynevor is excellent as the trailblazer, who shattered more than clay as she built her reputation on the world arts scene.
Despite the impact on the household she shares with her widowed mother Ann (Kerry Fox) and younger sister Dot (Darci Shaw), Clarice's creativity compels her to move from job to job.
She is inspired by colours and shapes and takes risks to stay one step ahead of the workhouse and make a fine impression on eccentric factory owner Colley Shorter (Matthew Goode).
The Colour Room is superbly crafted, with full marks to the art directors and effects crew for creating a credible period drama. A fine script too by Claire Peate, not least because the exposition drives the story forward but never feels laboured.
An elegant score includes a closing titles track which may inspire an outbreak of jazz hands.
Rating: 4/5
TIGER KING 2 (5 episodes, streaming from November 17 exclusively on Netflix, Documentary)
THE subject of rearing big cats for exploitation caught the attention of millions when Tiger King debuted on Netflix and turned its two polar-opposite subjects into household names.
Joe Exotic, the larger-than-life star of series one, could never be accused of being shy and retiring as he waged a personal war against big cat rival Carole Baskin.
Series one concluded with Exotic serving a lengthy prison sentence.
The fascinating and disturbing Emmy-nominated saga continues with Baskin closing in on ownership of Exotic's zoo.
Returning "cast" members Jeff Lowe, Tim Stark, Allen Glover and James Garretson offer their thoughts on the rise and fall of Exotic as these five episodes unearth new revelations and intensify the mayhem and madness.
