THE return of a grand family and a modern family falling apart – the themes of the two most in-demand films in Moviola’s February programme. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale manages to be a reassuringly comfortable way to pass a couple of hours, while not offering anything challenging or unexpected. The Roses, on the other hand, gives the audience a perfect couple and then cruelly deconstructs their relationship.

The third, and possibly final, Downton Abbey film finds the family, like so many in the 1930s, facing economic uncertainty. Lady Mary is exiled from society after her divorce, and the Countess has a hitherto unknown brother who brings charm and trouble in equal measure to the Crawleys. You will miss the Dowager Countess.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is being shown during February at Kingsbury Episcopi, Yetminster (Jubilee Hall), Churchinford, Codford (Woolstore Theatre), Fawley (Jubilee Hall), Bransgore, Charlton March Marshall, Donhead St Mary, Pewsey (Bouverie Hall), Chard (Guildhall), Harnham, Horton (near Ilminster) and East Knoyle.

Described as a satirical black comedy, The Roses stars Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch as a picture-perfect couple. Theo and Ivy have successful careers, a loving marriage and great kids … life looks good. But when Theo’s career takes a nosedive and Ivy’s ambitions take off, a simmering cauldron of competition and resentment shatters the picture.

The Roses is being shown at Beaminster (Public Hall), Odcombe, Shrewton, Wilmington (Devon, community cinema), Leigh (near Sherborne), Hardington Mandeville, Ditcheat (Jubilee Hall), Frogham, South Petherton (David Hall), Netherbury, Castle Cary (Caryford Hall), East Stour, Bishopstone (near Salisbury), West Camel (Davis Hall) and Martock.

The month’s other Moviola films are:
The Ballad of Wallis Island, a comedy about a very rich man who tries to unite a long-separated folk duo for a concert on his remote island, is at Cheddon & West Monkton, Edington (Somerset) and Mere (Lecture Hall);
The Choral, a First World War drama about the struggle to keep a choir going with all the young men off to the trenches, is at Westbury sub Mendip and Halstock;
I Swear, BAFTA nominated in several categories, the story of John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome campaigne, is at Hawkchurch, Highcliffe (community centre), Watchet (community cinema)and Winterslow;
Four Mothers, a remake of a delightful Italian film, is at South Petherton (David Hall), Chilthorne Domer, Nether Wallop and Watchet (community cinema);
The Life of Chuck, starring Tom Hiddleston, is a reverse life story of Charles “Chuck” Krantz, from death to his childhood in a haunted house, is at Wookey Hole;
and the powerful David Attenborough documentary Ocean is at Winsford.

For dates and venues see the Arts Diary; for timings and move information on the films visit www.moviola.org