Movies

Hard Truths

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Hard Truths (12, 97mins) 

Verdict: Leigh back on form 

Mike Leigh has established a strong reputation as a filmmaker through his focus on gritty, contemporary realism. After creating two films of varying quality set in the 19th century – the critically acclaimed Mr Turner (2014) and the rather lackluster Peterloo (2018) – he returns to familiar territory with Hard Truths.

Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who was previously nominated for an Oscar after working with Leigh on Secrets & Lies over 29 years ago, delivers another powerful and extraordinary performance as Pansy, a woman struggling with deep unhappiness, sharp words, and what seems to be debilitating depression. Unfortunately, she didn’t receive another nomination for her role.

To be clear, such a brief summary may not entice you to rush to the cinema eagerly, as if bouncing on tiptoes with a bag of Revels in hand. Instead, it might seem more appealing to engage in an activity that appears more enjoyable, like staying indoors to clean the oven.

Yet, similar to Leigh’s finest pieces (and this one fits the bill), “Hard Truths” resonates deeply with human emotions. It skillfully blends compassionate warmth and laughter alongside distress.

Furthermore, it’s eye-opening to note. We have a friend much like Pansy, and we’ve always found her rather disagreeable, someone who seems to dislike people inherently. It never crossed my mind until I watched this fascinating movie that she might be deeply depressed instead.

Pansy resides in a decent suburban semi-detached house, located in London, sharing it with her spouse Curtley (David Webber), a plumber by profession, and their idle, heavyset son, who is 22 years old and goes by the name Moses (Tuwaine Barrett).

She’s consistently angry with them and the world in general. They, on the other hand, are typically quiet and unresponsive. It’s unclear if their reserved demeanor stems from her misery or vice versa, as it’s also expressed through anxiety and phobias. It could be a mix of both factors.

The movie, following Leigh’s preferred method of extensive character development through workshops, where actors are inspired to create their own characters, seems devoid of any traditional narrative structure.

Instead, it’s an engrossing, serialized exploration of a broad British family with African heritage, occasionally shifting its narrative to Chantelle, Pansy’s cheerful hairdresser sister, skillfully portrayed by Michele Austin (also seen in Secrets & Lies), and her adult daughters, Kayla (Ani Nelson) and Aleisha (Sophia Brown), who are both intelligent and captivating.

At times, we uncover hints about Pansy’s background. On Mother’s Day, she reluctantly accompanies Chantelle to their mother’s grave, and there, long-held resentments surface, illuminating more about her troubled marriage. However, the movie shines brightest (and surprisingly, becomes funny) when fiercely witty Pansy is out and active, expressing her bitter anger: visiting the doctor, dentist, waiting in a supermarket checkout line, in car parks.

On two occasions, I’ve encountered Hard Truths, and during my initial encounter, I found myself questioning whether Jean-Baptiste might be slightly excessive in his approach.

Upon rewatching and considering our familiarity, I can truly acknowledge it as an outstanding performance, embedded in a fantastic movie. Remarkably, Leigh isn’t showing any signs of slowing down at 82, proving that he still has the power for a stunning comeback.

 Saturday Night (15, 109mins)

Verdict: Feverish drama 

This year, Chevy Chase will celebrate his 82nd birthday, making him one of the few original cast members from the October 1975 premiere of NBC’s comedy show Saturday Night (later known as Saturday Night Live) who is still living.

It seems like Chase, allegedly, made Jason Reitman, who created the film “Saturday Night” which dramatizes the chaotic build-up to the first show, feel ashamed of it when he reportedly told him he should be embarrassed by it.

Indeed, I found it quite engaging. The movie essentially plays out in real-time, detailing the tumultuous hours leading up to broadcast. There’s a sense of disorder everywhere, with lights malfunctioning, an anxious Billy Crystal (played by Nicholas Podany) worrying over his content, a spat between Chase (Cory Michael Smith) and fellow actor John Belushi (portrayed by Matt Wood), and producer Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) questioning if he’ll still have a job come Sunday morning.

Through SNL, now recognized as a cherished establishment, Reitman and co-writer Gil Kenan depict the debut episode as a pivotal event in American television history. They utilize skeptical veterans like Johnny Carson (portrayed by Jeff Witzke) and Milton Berle (played by JK Simmons as a predator) to highlight a significant transformation in the medium’s evolution.

If you’re not particularly interested in this matter any more than an American audience might be in the first episode of The Two Ronnies, that’s perfectly fine. However, if you have even a slight curiosity about Saturday Night Live, it’s definitely worth checking out.

All films are in cinemas now.

 

Also showing

The Apartment (PG, 125mins) 

Next week, as we celebrate Jack Lemmon’s centennial, his iconic 1960 film The Apartment is being re-released with delight. A fascinating trivia point for fans: Jack Lemmon was actually born inside an elevator!

In the delightful romantic comedy directed by Billy Wilder, it is Fran Kubelik, a lift (or elevator) attendant portrayed by Shirley MacLaine in her most beautiful form, who catches the heart of the character played by Jack Lemmon.

CC Baxter, a clerical worker at an insurance firm, gains favor among higher-ups by allowing them to utilize his midtown Manhattan apartment for private liaisons.

As a dedicated admirer, I find myself in a state of turmoil when I uncover the intricate web of deceit involving my esteemed superior, Mr. Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray), and none other than the angelic Miss Kubelik.

The screenplay penned by Billy Wilder and IAL Diamond remains as vibrant and radiant today as it has always been, making it a must-watch experience if you haven’t seen “The Apartment” on the big screen yet (or heaven forbid, not at all). It’s truly delightful!

Companion (15, 97mins)

From the very beginning, the story unfolds much like a delightful romantic comedy, as I find myself smitten by chance encounters – just like when Iris (Sophie Thatcher) and Josh (Jack Quaid) cross paths over some spilled oranges in a grocery aisle. It appears that Jack Quaid has inherited his mother Meg Ryan’s knack for bringing charm to the rom-com genre.

However, upon their arrival at a secluded lakeside mansion belonging to a wealthy Russian businessman (Rupert Friend), it becomes clear that Iris is not just an ordinary companion; she was primarily purchased by Josh for intimate reasons.

The movie swiftly transforms into a blend of thriller, horror, and science fiction genres, expertly managed by both writer and director, Drew Hancock.

In today’s world dominated by AI, what once appeared as fantastical twists and turns might easily pass as a real-life documentary.

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2025-01-31 01:36

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