6 minutes of Mike Leigh proving bureaucracy is comedy gold.
Acting
Norville's deadpan rebellion against Carrick's flustered authority.
Writing
Dialogue so natural you'll swear you eavesdropped it.
Director
Mike Leigh
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Leigh made this for Thames Television after Bleak Moments, using his signature improvisation method with actors who'd never worked together before.
A time-capsule of 1980s British institutional life—notice how the probation office itself becomes a character, all linoleum and fluorescent dread.
GB
