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High Hopes [1988]
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'This one (cactus) is called Thatcher'
Review date: 2008-07-21 Rating: 10 out of 10
A marvellous film, one of Mike Leigh's best. Filmed in London - near Roman Road E3 and also in King's Cross - for the most part this is a compelling human portrayal of different sorts of decay, and the occasional human orchid that can rise from that compost. Marvellous performances from the actors playing the three central characters too, Shirley, Cyril and Cyril's mum.
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Reviews
Mike Leigh nearly at his best
Review date: 2007-06-25 Rating: 8 out of 10
There are a lot of excellent things in this film. The central partnership of Cyril and Shirley is warm and touching - two really nice, interesting and amusing people - and they are beautifully acted by Phil Davis and Ruth Sheen, whose wonderfully expressive face is a delight. The plight of his old Mum, bewildered, negative and not coping, is bitter-sweet, with some rather black humour in the bleakness. The film is often very funny, and some dialogue is sharp and effective. But some things to me don't ring true. The over-the-top middle class couple are not just ghastly, (David Bamber and Lesley Manville, good enough in the roles) they are grotesque and beyond belief, and so particularly is Cyril's hysterical sister. This is the world of 'Abigail's Party', but a shade more extreme and, I think, a step too far. Still, the film is enjoyable and the ending,
which is really a kind of happy ending though not one which comes close to resolving all of the issues raised in the film, is rather poetic and certainly fitting. It's a good film, an enjoyable film, but with its patchy side.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Philip Davis
Heather Tobias
Edna Doré
Ruth Sheen
Philip Jackson
Creators:
Philip Davis (Primary Contributor)
Ruth Sheen (Primary Contributor)
Roger Pratt (Cinematographer)
Mike Leigh (Writer)
Jon Gregory (Editor)
Simon Channing Williams (Producer)
Victor Glynn (Producer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Fabulous Films Ltd.
Manufacturer: Fabulous Films Ltd.
EAN: 5030697010575
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2007-09-03
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 108 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1990-03-01
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: English (Original Language)