Olive Kitteridge, directed by Lisa Cholodenko

A portrait of an ordinarily dysfunctional marriage in small-town Maine over 25 years rings depressingly true. Pharmacist Henry and teacher Olive are not well matched. She is tough and practical with no filter on her harsh tongue. Even though she means well and does care for people, she doesn’t suffer fools gladly and often lacks sympathy, affection and compassion. He is easy-going to a fault, a kind and sweet man with little drive and too much sentimentality. There is love and even passion, between them, but they constantly disappoint each other, both seeking their emotional (him) and intellectual (her) needs elsewhere. Their son Christopher is a product of his environment and seems doomed to repeat their mistakes. Frances McDormand is sublime as Olive, a woman who doesn’t realise the negative impact she has on others, especially on those closest to her. The love and care she lavishes on her husband comes too late and there is no redeeming her relationship with her son. Nevertheless, with life there is hope. This is TV for grownups.