IMPORTANT NOTE: You do NOT have to register to read, post, listen or contribute. If you simply wish to remain fully anonymous, you can still contribute.
I love Mike Leigh - for me the best British Director since Hitchcock. Every film is totally different yet could only have been made by Leigh - from Vera Drake to Mr Turner, Secrets and Lies to this masterpiece, also starring Marianne Jean-Baptiste who deserves the Best Actress Oscar (not even nominated) as opposed to Demi Mooore who is favourite though her performance owes more to makeup and special effects than to acting.
The whole cast is superb. An absolutely stunning, brilliant movie.
There are also many very funny moments. The cinema - almost full for an early screening, unusual - rocked with laughter (baby pockets best line). By observing humanity so accurately and by not coming up with simplistic solutions to problems, Leigh is a true master.
Watched two of his 70s classics recently. Abigail's Party, and Nuts In May. Both starring the superb Alison Steadman. Americans wouldn't get the humour. They are too much into visuals and wisecracks.