Another Year
Mike Leigh is one of the UK’s most celebrated writers and directors. His work includes some of the most respected performances from its actors and has been included in any film festival you can name.
With his new film Another Year (in cinemas from 5th November) Mike Leigh collaborates once again with British heavyweights Jim Broadbent, Lesley Manville, Ruth Sheen. Garnering fantastic reviews across the board Another Year is set to be Leigh’s most acclaimed film to date.
Another Year sees, over four seasons, a happily-married middle-aged couple endure other people’s problems, enjoy their son’s newly-discovered partner, and cope with an unexpected family bereavement.
To celebrate the release of Another Year we are taking a look back over some of the greatest Mike Leigh films to date.
1. High Hopes (1988) - A look at the life of a working class London couple and their extended family. The film stars Philip Davis, Ruth Sheen, Edna Doré and Philip Jackson. It went on to win the FIPRESCI prize at the Venice Film Festival.
2. Life is Sweet (1990) - This comic film follows the life of a lower-middle class family residing in North London. It is the most commercially successful films of Mike Leigh’s career.
It was included in 26 of the ‘Top Ten Movies of 1991’ lists. The film stars Alison Steadman, Jim Broadbent, Claire Skinner, Jane Horrocks and Timothy Spall.
3. Naked (1993) - Naked tells the story of Johnny who has just run away from Manchester to London. In London, he encounters his ex-girlfriend and rants about his life to strangers.
The film stars David Thewlis, Lesley Sharp, and Katrin Carlidge. Leigh won the Best Director award at Cannes Film Festival in 1993 for the film.
4. Secret & Lies (1996) - Hortense Cumberbotch is a successful black career woman who has just found out that her birth mother is a working class white woman. When Hortense meets her, a series of events leads everyone to reveal their secrets.
This film won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and was nominated for five Academic Awards. It stars Brenda Blethyn, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Timothy Spall, and Phyllis Logan.
5. Career Girls (1997) - Two women reignite their friendship after six years of not seeing each other. The film focuses on their interpersonal relationship.
The film stars Lynda Steadham and Katrin Caltridge. Caltridge won the European Film Award and the Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Actress.
6. Topsy-Turvy (1999) - A musical drama film about Gilbert and Sullivan trying to find success after their last play was a flop.
It was nominated for the best British Film at the BAFTA awards as well as the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. The film stars Jim Broadbent, Allan Corduner, Timothy Spall and Lesley Manville.
7. All or Nothing (2002) - A drama film about three working-class families and what happens in their everyday lives. The film includes Timothy Spall, Lesley Manville, James Corden, Alison Garland, Ruth Sheen and Marion Bailey. It was highly praised and won the London Film Critics Circle Award for Best British Film of the year.
8. Vera Drake (2004) - The story of a working-class woman who performed illegal abortions in the 1950s. It stars Imelda Staunton, Richard Graham, Eddie Marson, Anna Keaveney, Alex Kelly, Daniel Mays, Phil Davis and Sinead Matthews. The film won the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival and three BAFTA awards.
9. Happy-Go-Lucky (2008) - Poppy is a very optimistic woman. The film concentrates on her career and her relationship with the people around her.
The film won the NY Film Critics Circle Award and the LA Critics Association Award amongst numerous others. The film stars Sally Hawkins, Eddie Marson, Alexis Zegerman, Sylverstra Le Zouzel and Samuel Roukin.
10. Another Year (2010) - The latest film of Mike Leigh’s to be praised. Gerri and Tom are happily married and they surround themselves with friends who have many problems to deal with.
The film stars Jim Broadbent, Lesley Manville, and Ruth Sheen. So far the film has a ton of Oscar-buzz surrounding it. It has been critically acclaimed as one of the best films of the year.
Another Year is released 5th November.
Tagged in Mike Leigh