During a year, a very content couple approaching retirement are visited by friends and family less happy with their lives.
Acting
Lesley Manville's trembling desperation should be illegal.
Direction
Mike Leigh's improvised rehearsals create unbearable authenticity.
Writing
Four seasons of emotional devastation disguised as small talk.
Director
Mike Leigh
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Lesley Manville and Jim Broadbent were actually married from 1987-2002, adding delicious tension to their scenes.
Leigh shot in chronological order across four seasons so actors could physically age with their characters' emotional weathering.
GB
