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Another Year, the latest film from director Mike Leigh, centres on a group of people who are dealing with getting older, albeit in very different ways.
At first, it may not be clear as to what the focus of Another Year is, however, as the story progresses; single and manic Mary (Lesley Manville) is thrown into stark relief against the comfortable relationship between Tom (Jim Broadbent) and Gerri (Ruth Sheen) and their acceptance of getting older. Gerri’s meeting with Janet (Imelda Staunton) at the start of the film acts as a prologue, and sets the tone for Mary, who – even though she may hide her fears well to begin with – is not as different to Janet as she would like to think.
The absolute standout performance in Another Year is Lesley Manville as Mary. She completely embodies this frantic, desperate character that forms the narrative centre of the film. Normally the protagonist changes during the course of the film, but it is Mary’s inability to change that makes her such a fascinating character. Of course, Ruth Sheen and Jim Broadbent are great as the warm, generous couple who Mary relies on, and David Bradley – in an utterly monosyllabic role – does not shy away from the awkward air his character creates, but embraces it and makes it his own.
Mike Leigh is famed for the way that he creates film – through improvisation with the actors, who have no idea what the story will be when they sign on for the film. It is this style that allows for such well-developed and rounded characters. Mike Leigh is often accused of having a voyeuristic style of film making, and there are definitely moments in Another Year when the audience feels like they are intruding, but this is the sign of a perfectly formed cinematic world – not too far from our own – which is inhabited by these characters.
Another Year is much darker in tone than it’s predecessor – Happy Go Lucky – and deals with the universal issues of getting older and reflecting on our lives. This is not a film that will leave the audience feeling upbeat, but for Lesley Manville’s performance, and Mike Leigh’s ability to turn the trivial into the tragic it is definitely one to watch.
Review by Brogen Hayes