Monday, October 18
7pm
Mike Leigh's new film is a finely-textured study of family, friendship and loneliness. At its heart are married couple Tom and Gerry (Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen), a study in easy contentment as they cook, work, tend their allotment across the changing seasons of the year.
By contrast, Tom's friend Ken (Peter Wight) and Gerry's colleague Mary (the superb Lesley Manville) are sliding further and further into boozy, needy solitude. Ken grabs at Mary like a lifeline, but she holds a futile torch for Tom and Gerry's lawyer son. There's huge warmth in the depiction of the central couple, and Leigh's depiction of loneliness, though unflinching, is nowhere near as harsh as it can sometimes seem.
Even the bleakness of an angry family funeral is leavened by touches of hope. The muted, rounded performances of the ensemble cast is matched by Dick Pope's subtle cinematography. The only jarring note is the way all the characters constantly refer to each other by name. Do people do that, Mike? They don't, Mike. Do they, Mike? No, Mike.
To book tickets call 020 7928 3232 or visit www.bfi.org.uk
The 54th BFI London Film Festival is in partnership with American Express. The London Evening Standard is a media partner.
