Secrets & Lies

A broken London family, including a well-to-do, people pleasing middle class photographer (Timothy Spall), his barren, melancholic wife (Phyllis Logan), his emotionally unbalanced, project housed single parent sister (Brenda Blethyn) and her miserable daughter (Claire Rushbrook), reaches a catharsis when a black optometrist (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) enters their lives, claiming to be the abandoned daughter of the sister. Lengthy and deliberate Mike Leigh effort is emotional and involving with a tremendous cast (really every principle performance is top caliber) and punctuated by sublime moments of revelation and welcomed detours. Spall's culminating speech is both beautiful and transcendent.

**** out of ****

Mr. Turner

The last passage in the life of J.M.W. Turner, the gruff, eccentric, and masterful British landscape painter as he lives alone with his neglected housekeeper, battles members of the art establishment while preparing his latest gallery, moves to a seaside community, and grieves over his recently departed father while facing is own mortality. In Mr. Turner, Mike Leigh employs his unorthodox, understated approach with a result that is somewhat plodding but strives to create an honest portrait of an uncouth genius and entirely bypasses the usual biopic trappings. Timothy Spall turns in a bold and somewhat unsympathetic performance and Dick Pope's cinematography beautifully captures its subject's inspirations.

*** out of ****

Another Year

Mike Leigh is a unique director who achieves a unique reaction from his cast. The reaction is that of a cast that is familiar with each other, as familiar as a close knit family, and this effect is said to be achieved by Leigh working with his casts long before the cameras start rolling. Another Year doesn't so much tell a story as much as it observes. Throughout the course of four seasons, we follow Tom (the wonderful Jim Broadbent) and Gerri, a happily married elderly couple and several of the other people who come into their lives--whose existences may not be as happy or stable. One of these people is Gerri coworker Mary (Leslie Manville in a phenomenal performance) who is a mixture of optimism, pessimism, neediness, and hyperactivity. As the seasons progress, Mary begins to wear on Gerri and her family. Others we meet include Tom's brothers Ken and Ronnie, both unhappy in their own ways. There is not much by way of plot in this film and it is hard finding themes, but patient viewers will be rewarded by a film rich with fine performances and observant direction.

Vera Drake

Vera Drake is British filmmaker Mike Leigh's 2004 release that features a powerhouse performance from Imelda Staunton. The setting is England in 1950 and Staunton plays the title character who goes about her life as a perky and ideal housewife of the time. She makes ends meet as a maid, always has a kettle on the stove, and performs illegal abortions for those who cannot afford them. Vera Drake is not made in a sensationalized manner but rather as a window into the day-to-day life of this woman and those around her. I actually found the first half to be on the slow side, while the second half turns devastating and packs a wallop. It is impossible to remove your stare from Staunton's face as it is consumed with sadness and fear yet still remains kind and pleasant. Vera Drake takes a difficult subject and puts a human face on the controversy.
***