If you don’t like character-driven films then stop reading now, because like most Mike Leigh (Happy-Go-Lucky, Vera Drake) films, Another Year is completely character driven, and due to its amazing script works well and is well enough to become one of the best films of the year.
Another Year follows happily married couple, Tom (Jim Broadbent – Animals United, TV’S Any Human Heart) and Gerri (Ruth Sheen – Heartless, TV’S Silent Witness) as they drift though summer, autumn, winter and spring. The pair live a simple life, Gerri is a counselor and Tom is a geologist and their idea of fun is pottering around in their garden. During this year however, they watch as their lonely friend Mary (Lesley Manville – Womb, TV’S The Queen) starts a path of destruction, which involves her drinking heavily and growing attracted to their son, Joe (Oliver Maltman – TV’S The Kevin Bishop Show & Clone), someone she is older enough to be the mother of. This leads to trouble when Joe brings his new girlfriend, Katie (Karina Fernandez – Happy-Go-Lucky, TV’S Married Single Other). The family are then put through more stress when Tom’s brother, Ronnie’s (David Bradley – TV’S Games Of Thrones, The Sarah Jane Adventures) wife dies.
Mike Leigh isn’t the kind of director who uses star-power to draw people to see his film, if he was then he would have given screen-legend, Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 1, TV’S Psychoville) are larger and more prominent part here in Another Year. No, Leigh just wants to get in, tell his story and let his audience examine the psychological effects the events of the film have on the characters. When it comes to directing and screenwriting you really do get the feeling that he is a puppet-master, with the poor characters dangling precariously at the end of the string.
The screenwriting here is top notch. The dialogue is so natural that you feel like you are watching a docco, while his character development is far superior to most filmmakers going around. You can’t help but fall in love with Tom and Gerri and you want to know that everything will be alright for them. Leigh keeps you on the edge of your seat. You never really know what is going to happen next. The crush that Mary has on Joe could go either way, while Leigh keeps the audience guessing for a few minutes when the characters are arriving at a funeral, but you aren’t exactly sure who it is who has died.
Leigh has also perfectly cast this film. Jim Broadbent once again shows that he is capable of pulling off any role thrown at him, while Ruth Sheen and Lesley Manville put in great performances… so good in fact that you want to go down to your local video library and hunt down every movie they have ever made. Even bit parts like Carl (Martin Savage – TV’S The Bill, Family Guy) are filled with actors that are at the top of their game.
Another Year once again lets the audience see why Mike Leigh is one of the best filmmakers of our generation. This well-written drama captivates its audience without using huge action sequences or a sexy cast to move it along. Some brilliant screenwriting and terrific acting performances make this one of the films of the year. A must for lovers of alternative (arty) cinema.
Year: 2010
Director: Mike Leigh
Stars: Jim Broadbent, Ruth Sheen, Lesley Manville, Oliver Maltman, Karina Fernandez, David Bradley, Imelda Staunton
Classification: M
Runtime: 129 mins
Rating: 