Another Year

Directed by Mike Leigh, this is fine film making, splendid acting, but ultimately, an unpleasant and depressing experience! How can that be? Well, despite the loving long term relationship of husband, Tom (Jim Broadbent) and wife, Gerri (Ruth Sheen), their "enabling" friendship with Mary (Lesley Manville) whose excessive drinking and alcoholic deterioration from season to season (as the title implies, "Another Year") is painful to watch. Technically, as some critics noted, it could be considered an excellent movie, I pretty much hated it. (This might be a good picture to show at an AA meeting?) For openers, Janet (Imelda Staunton), suffering from insomnia, and obvious depression, is shown trying to get a prescription for sleeping pills. This scene sets the miserable tone of the majority of the movie. I have to admit there are a few pleasant scenes, Tom and Gerri seriously enjoying gardening, for instance. And visits from their lawyer son. Tom's brother's wife dies, so you get to go to a pathetic little funeral, just to add another facet of sorrow. Sorry folks, I'm suggesting ONE STAR, and that only in appreciation for the performances. (Plus, I didn't walk out.) SP