I saw that two sets of Mike Leigh's films are being issued, and that he is a five-time Oscar nominee. I have only see one of his films (Vera Drake) and I was anxious to see how this film showed his obvious talents as a writer/director. I was not disappointed to say the least.
I can easily understand through this film what my grandmother went through when my father showed up on her doorstep after 60 years. I imagine that she had the same anguish and disbelief that was so capably expressed by Cynthia Rose (Brenda Blethyn). Blethyn was so good in Little Voice, and just as exciting in this film.
The cast also included Peter Pettigrew from the Harry Potter films. He was also Beadle in Sweeney Todd. Timothy Spall played Cynthia's brother Maurice, and did a really super job. I kept thinking whenever the two of them were together that there was something that was tearing them apart (I was guessing incest). Of course, we won't know all until the end, but it was captivating.
Oscar-nominated Marianne Jean-Baptiste ("Without a Trace") was the daughter thought to be gone. She was absolutely radiant and quite a great actress.
The story wasn't just about the out-of-wedlock child given up, but also other secrets and lies that kept this family from functioning as they should. It is something that can hit home with every viewer of this film. I found personal messages and I am sure that others will, too.
I can easily understand through this film what my grandmother went through when my father showed up on her doorstep after 60 years. I imagine that she had the same anguish and disbelief that was so capably expressed by Cynthia Rose (Brenda Blethyn). Blethyn was so good in Little Voice, and just as exciting in this film.
The cast also included Peter Pettigrew from the Harry Potter films. He was also Beadle in Sweeney Todd. Timothy Spall played Cynthia's brother Maurice, and did a really super job. I kept thinking whenever the two of them were together that there was something that was tearing them apart (I was guessing incest). Of course, we won't know all until the end, but it was captivating.
Oscar-nominated Marianne Jean-Baptiste ("Without a Trace") was the daughter thought to be gone. She was absolutely radiant and quite a great actress.
The story wasn't just about the out-of-wedlock child given up, but also other secrets and lies that kept this family from functioning as they should. It is something that can hit home with every viewer of this film. I found personal messages and I am sure that others will, too.