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| Movie Review: Another Year Alternate Title: Tea and Sympathy
Story: Some people wake up each
day and greet it as a gift. Others simply wake up and slog through the
day. Masterful director and writer Mike Leigh has once
again delivered a mature, wonderful film about people whose different
nature falls into one of those two categories. The film is divided into four chapters represented
by the seasons. We meet happily married, well adjusted middle-aged Gerri
and Tom. They seem to draw, like magnets, lost and damaged people into
their lives. This is a character driven, dialogue rich film where not
a lot happens, but you are filled to the brim by the end of the movie.
The film is filled with humor, sadness and pathos. We were moved. Go to see this film and meet Tom, Gerri, Mary,
Ronnie, Joe, Ken and Katie and you will want to sit down and have a
cup o' tea too. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yypx-Tz8NzU Acting: Jim Broadbent as Tom, should
just get awards for everything that he appears in. He never gives a
bad performance.Lesley Manville as Mary is terrific
as is Ruth Sheen as Gerri. The entire ensemble cast
gives tremendous performances including: Peter Wight, Oliver
Maltman, David Bradley, Karina Fernandez, Martin Savage, Michele Austin,
Philip Davis. Special mention goes to Imelda Staunton
in a strong cameo appearance at the beginning of the film.
Trivia: Most of Mike Leigh's work
in theatre and film is done without any initial script. He and the actors
improvise their characters and the scenes under his overall control.
He is the Grandson of a Jewish-Russian immigrant. His well-known films
include Life is Sweet (1990), Topsy Turvy (1999), All or Nothing (2002),
Naked (1993) for which he won the Best Director Award at Cannes, the
BAFTA-winning (and Oscar-nominated) Palme d'Or winner, Secrets &
Lies (1996), Golden Lion winner Vera Drake (2004) and Happy-Go-Lucky
(2008).
Predilection: I like Mike Leigh's films.
Critters: None
Food: Food is a big part of this film. Many of the
scenes take place around the table.
Sex Spectrum: None
Opening Titles: White type superimposed over a black
background.
Visual Art: Visual treats surround Tom and Gerri's
house. Not so much anywhere else.
Theater Audience: About 25 other people.
Weather: The film is divided into the four seasons
and each is visually felt.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: I would be surprised if somebody did
not get a nod or two.
Big Screen or Rental: If you are a Mike Leigh fan
like me, the big screen is the way to go.
Length: Two hours and a smidgen.
LOBO HOWLS: 9 |