ANOTHER YEAR (UK 2010) ****
Directed by Mike Leigh

Mike Leigh (HAPPY-GO-LUCKY, SECRETS AND LIES, LIFE IS SWEET) latest humanistic tale tells the story largely of a happily married couple and a friend in the course of a year, told in 4 segments titled spring, summer, autumn and fall. 

The couple is Tom and Gerry (Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen), getting on in years.  Their daily chores and interaction with friends show them to be secure, stable and loving.  The film’s best line from Tom: “You are gorgeous and perfect!” to his wife after she complains of her middle age spread shows without doubt his love for his wife.  Their friend, Mary (Lesley Manville), on the other hand, is a little neurotic and everything seems to go wrong with her attempts at bettering her life.  The new car she purchases is a constant headache and when she starts taking an interest in Tom and Gerry’s son, disaster is on its way.  Mary is the exact opposite of the HAPPY-GO-LUCKY Sally Hawkins character, Leigh created in his last film.

Though there is no real story or conclusion to the tale of Leigh’s characters, his keen sense of observation of the raw emotions of his characters is extremely intriguing and moving, resulting in an excellent heart-felt drama aided by the excellent performances of his actors all round. 

ANOTHER YEAR has made many critics list of top 10 films of the year!  The film could also be called UNHAPPY-GO-LUCKY as it is the opposite of Leigh’s HAPPY-GO-LUCKY last year!