The Duchess

Ralph Fiennes builds an award-winning portrait of the frosty Duke of Devonshire out of glances and nuances; and Keira Knightley as Georgiana, his wife, is ravishing to look at, in costumes and wigs that have “Oscar nomination” written all over them. Handsome romantic drama based on Amanda Foreman’s biography, directed by Saul Dibb. Sept 5

I’ve Loved You So Long

Kristin Scott Thomas in a French-language drama directed by Philippe Claudel about a woman awkwardly reuniting with her younger sister after a long separation; gradually, the tragic reason for her absence is revealed. Scott Thomas’s performance is being rated as a career best. Sept 26

Brideshead Revisited

American critics have panned it, but it’s still fun to gawp at, with some great fashions and locations. Ben Whishaw is predictably good at conveying the tics and tremors of doomed aristo Sebastian Flyte; Emma Thompson excels as his indomitable mother; and Ed Stoppard, son of Tom, gives welcome light relief as nerdy brother Bridley. Oct 3

How to Lose Friends and Alienate People

Simon Pegg and Jeff Bridges give real-life Vanity Fair journalists Toby Young and Graydon Carter a Hollywood makeover, in an adaptation of Young’s comic confessional about being a British bull in the self-regarding china shop of Manhattan’s glossy-mag world. Oct 3

What Just Happened?

The director Barry Levinson returns to form in this comic slice of Hollywood life, with Robert De Niro excellent as an agent dodging the mega-egos of his starry clients (Bruce Willis, Sean Penn as “Bruce Willis”, “Sean Penn”). Oct 10

London Film Festival

Proceedings kick off with a sneak preview of the Ron Howard adaptation of Frost/Nixon, Peter Morgan’s hit play, using the same leads: Michael Sheen as David Frost, Frank Langella as Richard Nixon (opens Jan 2009). Full programme announced in mid-September. Oct 15-30

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