Feels like a cutout from real life put on the big screen. I can see it being called pointless, but definitely not meaningless. Every conversation and piece of small talk brings further light to the characters. There are no plot twists, yet the storytelling runs at the precise pace. Simply beautiful. The final scene, as the talking fades out and we remain in silence, was perfect.
I'd also like to mention Manville's incredible acting and very, very interesting character. At the start it feels like she'll be much like Poppy from Leigh's "Happy-Go-Lucky", but she takes a completely different, much more satisfying direction. Cheers.
One of the most underrated films of 2010, Lesley Manville stands out but all the performances are great. A shame that this was so overlooked by awards ceremonies.
I'm a long time fan of Leigh and Another Year is, without doubt, one of his finest films, just so damn moving, special and quite an unique film for an already unique director.
The people saying the movie is bad and boring,,, simply doesn't get it. If you have the inner peace and calm spirit which is required to watch it, perhaps only for one day you have that kind of peace, but then, the movie is a beautiful swan teaching one about love to your neighbour and the focus of the movie are indeed marvellous because it changes several times, making one wonder..... I will definitely watch it several more times. :) thankyou Leigh.
In Another Year, Mike Leigh sets up Ruth Sheen and Jim Broadbent as a contented older couple whose family home often receives guests, most of them pretty miserable, especially perennial third wheel Lesley Manville whose story this really is. She gives a poignant performance fuelled by a crushing loneliness, and we get the sense that her attraction to the couple's son is merely her wanting to be a part of this warm, cozy family. Over the course of four seasons (interestingly shot with different stock, though only the desaturated Winter called attention to itself), she shows up again and again, eventually testing her hosts' patience. Extremely relatable, as I grew up with a well-meaning mom who had friends with issues who used her as a refuge, and still see those dynamics in my more immediate circle. The happy couple has something others want, which can turn to desperation and threaten to destroy the friendships. Often funny, but mostly touching. But you're primed for it by Imelda Staunton's raw performance of one of Sheen's patients (she's a counsellor, professionally not just socially), who I wish had made a return at the end of the film, either better or worse.
An extraordinarily human movie, with characters and pacing you recognize and relate to. Lifted from life, you are given a chance to empathize with all of the characters at once (easier to do in a movie than in life).
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Comments 1 - 15 of 19
Surskit
Feels like a cutout from real life put on the big screen. I can see it being called pointless, but definitely not meaningless. Every conversation and piece of small talk brings further light to the characters. There are no plot twists, yet the storytelling runs at the precise pace. Simply beautiful. The final scene, as the talking fades out and we remain in silence, was perfect.I'd also like to mention Manville's incredible acting and very, very interesting character. At the start it feels like she'll be much like Poppy from Leigh's "Happy-Go-Lucky", but she takes a completely different, much more satisfying direction. Cheers.
CynInFlicks
Excellent. It is real life. Maybe too much. Poignant and wholly English. Mike Leigh will always be his own genre, and that is a very good thing.Carota
absolutely beautiful and touching movie.JG96
One of the most underrated films of 2010, Lesley Manville stands out but all the performances are great. A shame that this was so overlooked by awards ceremonies.greenhorg
Mike Leigh is the British Ozu.beeswax
Sorry, Replayboii and Forrester, but both your posts look like parodies of remarks we might read on the Film General board at IMDb.Granted, this one probably wasn't made for young men -- but not every film needs to be, does it?
Ibetolis
I'm a long time fan of Leigh and Another Year is, without doubt, one of his finest films, just so damn moving, special and quite an unique film for an already unique director.giin
The people saying the movie is bad and boring,,, simply doesn't get it. If you have the inner peace and calm spirit which is required to watch it, perhaps only for one day you have that kind of peace, but then, the movie is a beautiful swan teaching one about love to your neighbour and the focus of the movie are indeed marvellous because it changes several times, making one wonder..... I will definitely watch it several more times. :) thankyou Leigh.interpol28
Liked it a lotNeville
A really compassionate study - and agreed, the best of Mike Leigh's films.Siskoid
In Another Year, Mike Leigh sets up Ruth Sheen and Jim Broadbent as a contented older couple whose family home often receives guests, most of them pretty miserable, especially perennial third wheel Lesley Manville whose story this really is. She gives a poignant performance fuelled by a crushing loneliness, and we get the sense that her attraction to the couple's son is merely her wanting to be a part of this warm, cozy family. Over the course of four seasons (interestingly shot with different stock, though only the desaturated Winter called attention to itself), she shows up again and again, eventually testing her hosts' patience. Extremely relatable, as I grew up with a well-meaning mom who had friends with issues who used her as a refuge, and still see those dynamics in my more immediate circle. The happy couple has something others want, which can turn to desperation and threaten to destroy the friendships. Often funny, but mostly touching. But you're primed for it by Imelda Staunton's raw performance of one of Sheen's patients (she's a counsellor, professionally not just socially), who I wish had made a return at the end of the film, either better or worse.Andrewski
An extraordinarily human movie, with characters and pacing you recognize and relate to. Lifted from life, you are given a chance to empathize with all of the characters at once (easier to do in a movie than in life).Esso
Liked it.Alias
One of Mike Leighs best.Tina Quintero
@Lammetje: I wanted to punch Tom and Gerri in the face so badly.Showing items 1 – 15 of 19