Film Review: Mike Leigh Finds Heartbreak in Humanity of ‘Another Year’

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CHICAGO – Mike Leigh (“Happy-Go-Lucky,” “Vera Drake”) has long ago been correctly-labeled as one of our most remarkably-attuned writer/directors when it comes to capturing the tragedy of the everyday human condition on film. His latest work, “Another Year,” may seem like just another slice of life and it’s certainly not the drama to see if you need fancy hooks with your popcorn, but realistically presenting the highs and sadness of an unfulfilled life is much harder than it looks. Driven by yet-another fantastic acting performance by Lesley Manville, Leigh has made another must-see for art house film goers. He simply does every time he gets behind the camera.

Split into four chapters defined by the seasons, “Another Year” basically tells of key events in the life of the sweet Tom (Jim Broadbent) and Gerri (Ruth Sheen), perhaps the most “average,” “nice” characters you’ll see in a movie all year. These are the two that have kept not only their circle of friends together for decades but often been the support structure for the people in their lives who have needed a shoulder or more.

StarRead Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Another Year” in our reviews section.

One such person is Mary (Lesley Manville), a colleague of Gerri’s with a drinking problem and a palpable sense of loneliness. After a
“prologue” involving a depressed patient (Imelda Staunton) of Gerri’s (who may be Leigh’s vision of where Mary is headed), we meet Tom and Gerri’s memorable friend and their son Joe (Oliver Maltman), a young man who has often flirted with the older Mary. The sense that perhaps Mary has taken their flirtations too seriously starts to creep in and when Joe introduces everyone to his girlfriend later in the year, it’s almost a slap in the face. It’s not like Mary actually thought she and Joe would someday wed, but the realization that even the flirtation is now over has taken one of the few remaining elements of joy from her life.

In the Summer, we meet a potential mate for Mary in another friend of Tom and Gerri’s, the portly but gentle Ken (Peter Wight). As Mary is a friend of Gerri’s, Ken is a friend of Tom’s. Like Mary, he gets drunk and his loneliness becomes more prominently a part of his demeanor. Despite his attempts, Mary has not yet reached the point where she’s willing to give up on a boy like Joe for a sad man like Ken. Autumn features the aforementioned introduction of Joe’s new love while Winter features the grief of a death in the family.

StarContinue reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Another Year” review.

‘Another Year’ stars Jim Broadbent, Ruth Sheen, Lesley Manville, Peter Wight, and Oliver Maltman. It was written and directed by Mike Leigh. It opens in Chicago on January 14th, 2011. It is rated PG-13.

Another Year
Another Year
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classics

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