TV’s best bets: ‘Notebook’ deeply moving film
Tonight’s must-see
“The Notebook” (2004), 9-11:30 p.m., CBS. Here is one of the most deeply moving films in years, telling two tales. One is warm and slow. At a nursing home, a visitor (James Garner) reads a love story to a patient (Gena Rowlands).
The other is the story he’s reading, filled with youthful vigor. In the 1940s, a young man (Ryan Gosling), solid and hard-working, pursues a wealthy beauty (Rachel McAdams).
There was much room for sloppy sentiment here, all avoided. Director Nick Cassavetes (Rowland’s son) and his cast offer a richly human story.
Other choices include
Golf, 1 p.m., NBC. The U.S, Open nudges into prime time tonight. “Law & Order reruns will follow.
“Sally Hemings: An American Scandal,” 7-11 p.m., Ion. Spending four hours with this vision of Thomas Jefferson is maddeningly frustrating. Here is a man who seemed to love his slave, yet did nothing to free her. The film is beautifully cast (Sam Neill, Carmen Ejogo) and directed (Charles Haid), but painful to watch.
“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989, 8-11 p.m., USA Network.) The third Indiana Jones movie has two dandy bits of casting
River Phoenix as the young Indy and, later, Sean Connery as his dad.
“Crossroads: A Story of Forgiveness” (2007), 9-11 p.m., Hallmark Channel. In real life, Bruce Murakami’s wife was killed by a teen street racer. The bigger story, however, comes as he gets to know the teen. It’s a fascinating tale.
“Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. Here’s a quick rerun of the season finale. Steve Carell hosts, with Usher as the music guest.
Sunday’s must-see
Tony Awards, 8-11 p.m., CBS. CBS hopes to stuff the night with song-and-dance numbers.
The best-musical nominees will be there – “Cry-Baby,” “Xanadu,” “In the Heights” and “Passing Strange.” So will the revival nominees – “Gypsy,” “Grease,” “South Pacific,” “Sunday in the Park With George.”
There’s more, though – two previous winners (“Rent” and “The Lion King”) and even un-nominated shows, “The Little Mermaid,” “Young Frankenstein” and “A Catered Affair.”
Somewhere in here, people will also talk about plays. Whoopi Goldberg hosts.
Other choices include
Golf, Noon, NBC. The final day (barring rain-outs) of the U.S. Open will wrap into prime time.
“Saturday Night Live,” 9-11 p.m., NBC. Here’s a “The Best of Mike Myers” compilation.
Basketball, 6 p.m., ABC. Barring a Celtic sweep, this will be the fifth game of the best-of-seven series between Boston and Los Angeles.
“When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions,” 9-11 p.m., Discovery. Tonight’s first hour is compelling as it catches the extremes. It starts with three astronauts dying in an earthbound test, ends with man walking on the moon.
TV Land Awards, 9 p.m., TV Land. There’s humor from Kathy Griffin, music from Vanessa Williams (who hosts) and awards. They go to the “Roseanne” and “Golden Girls,” plus “Happy Days” producer Garry Marshall and comedians Mike Myers and Jonathan Winters.
“Army Wives,” 10 p.m., Lifetime. Last week’s season-opener (rerunning at 9 p.m.) was a powerful look at the aftermath of the bar bombing. Now Roxy takes care of the injured Betty.