Mike Leigh has a real talent for getting great performances out of his actors. All of the characters in this story are truly pathetic and ordinary. Everyone knows these people, they are the relatives we only see at holidays, the co-workers we avoid, and even the people we see in the mirror on our worst days. Special kudos to Brenda Blethyn who has created possibly the most annoying and pitiful creature ever committed to film with the character of Gloria. You can't help but feel sorry for her while detesting her at the same time. It's very similar to her role in "Secrets and Lies" in a way only more extreme.
13 Reviews
Comedy that could break your heart.
Gerry-129 October 2001
The scene of Brenda Blethyn in the young couple's house is as funny as any movie scene I know. It was only later that I discovered I had been laughing at a woman having a real nervous breakdown, and that Mike Leigh was showing me what that phrase meant.
One of Leigh's best television films for the BBC
dr_clarke_29 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
1980's 'Grown-Ups' is an episode of BBC2's Playhouse written (or, as he prefers, devised) and directed by Mike Leigh. Apparently dissatisfied with 'Who's Who' (also made for the BBC) from the previous year, Leigh was determined to make a more controlled television film, and the resulting domestic drama - which he has described as "hell in the suburbs" - is one of his more gritty, realistic pieces.
'Grown-Ups' sees Leigh focus his lens on a pair of marriages, neither of which seems especially happy. Young newlyweds Dick and Mandy have just moved into a council house and contemplate starting a family without much enthusiasm. Meanwhile, their neighbours Ralph and Christine (the former of whom was a teacher at Dick and Mandy's school) bicker incessantly, the former seeking escape through books, and seem to have almost nothing in common. Thrown into this mix is Mandy's older sister Gloria, who constantly drops by uninvited, constantly fusses and is blissfully unaware when Dick and Mandy want to simply be left alone.
As in much of Leigh's character-based work, not a vast amount actually happens in 'Grown-Ups', with the story instead concerned with the interplay of the players and the minutiae of their lives. On this occasion, the characters aren't particularly likeable, especially Phil Davis' sneering, verbally aggressive Dick, and the pompous Ralph, who seems more interested in reading about the Loch Ness Monster than in his wife's hopes and desires. The woman fare better, with Mandy and Christine united (we eventually learn) in their desire to have children, although Gloria is spectacularly irritating, especially during the chaotic denouement, as her ludicrous behaviour brings the couples together in adversity, a sequence that shows Leigh's characteristic flair for deadpan, black humour. The scenes towards the end of the couples in their beds discussing families (with mixed responses) strike an optimistic note for the future of one couple and a bleaker one for the other.
Leigh's preference towards simple, non-flashy camerawork that focuses on the actors is in evidence once again, and as usual it yields solid results. Award winning cinematographer Remi Adefarasin does a superb job of exploiting the entirely location-based shoot (which was filmed in a suburb of Canterbury), making the two houses as much characters as the people living in them. The excellent cast sees Leigh reunited with Sam Kelly and Phil Davis from 'Who's Who' and also includes Brenda Blethyn, Lesley Manville, Lindsay Duncan and Janine Duvitski. Blethyn, in her first collaboration with Leigh, steals the show as the hysterical, self-unaware Gloria, although Duncan - for reasons best known only to herself - adopts a distractingly bizarre accent as Christine. But that aside, everybody gives naturalistic performances, Leigh's approach to film-making allowing them as usual to totally immerse themselves in their characters.
Mike Leigh's films are well known, his television plays (aside from 'Abigail's Party' and 'Nuts in May') less so. Nevertheless, they are often just as rewarding as his cinematic ventures and 'Grown-Ups' - despite leaving one feeling vaguely depressed at the claustrophobic banality of its protagonists lives - is one of his best.
'Grown-Ups' sees Leigh focus his lens on a pair of marriages, neither of which seems especially happy. Young newlyweds Dick and Mandy have just moved into a council house and contemplate starting a family without much enthusiasm. Meanwhile, their neighbours Ralph and Christine (the former of whom was a teacher at Dick and Mandy's school) bicker incessantly, the former seeking escape through books, and seem to have almost nothing in common. Thrown into this mix is Mandy's older sister Gloria, who constantly drops by uninvited, constantly fusses and is blissfully unaware when Dick and Mandy want to simply be left alone.
As in much of Leigh's character-based work, not a vast amount actually happens in 'Grown-Ups', with the story instead concerned with the interplay of the players and the minutiae of their lives. On this occasion, the characters aren't particularly likeable, especially Phil Davis' sneering, verbally aggressive Dick, and the pompous Ralph, who seems more interested in reading about the Loch Ness Monster than in his wife's hopes and desires. The woman fare better, with Mandy and Christine united (we eventually learn) in their desire to have children, although Gloria is spectacularly irritating, especially during the chaotic denouement, as her ludicrous behaviour brings the couples together in adversity, a sequence that shows Leigh's characteristic flair for deadpan, black humour. The scenes towards the end of the couples in their beds discussing families (with mixed responses) strike an optimistic note for the future of one couple and a bleaker one for the other.
Leigh's preference towards simple, non-flashy camerawork that focuses on the actors is in evidence once again, and as usual it yields solid results. Award winning cinematographer Remi Adefarasin does a superb job of exploiting the entirely location-based shoot (which was filmed in a suburb of Canterbury), making the two houses as much characters as the people living in them. The excellent cast sees Leigh reunited with Sam Kelly and Phil Davis from 'Who's Who' and also includes Brenda Blethyn, Lesley Manville, Lindsay Duncan and Janine Duvitski. Blethyn, in her first collaboration with Leigh, steals the show as the hysterical, self-unaware Gloria, although Duncan - for reasons best known only to herself - adopts a distractingly bizarre accent as Christine. But that aside, everybody gives naturalistic performances, Leigh's approach to film-making allowing them as usual to totally immerse themselves in their characters.
Mike Leigh's films are well known, his television plays (aside from 'Abigail's Party' and 'Nuts in May') less so. Nevertheless, they are often just as rewarding as his cinematic ventures and 'Grown-Ups' - despite leaving one feeling vaguely depressed at the claustrophobic banality of its protagonists lives - is one of his best.
A little known classic
rufasff29 December 2002
Of all the great stuff Mike Leigh has come up with in his impressive body of work; this slight, simple comedy of frayed nerves may be the best of all. Few films can make you wince and hold your sides laughing; almost at the same time, as this one. I have dubbed this for many friends and I always end up watching it again myself in the process. Let's hope they issue this one on DVD soon, but it's well worth going out of your way to find and rent the video.
A very important play
patsy-3819 March 2008
I recorded this play on video when it was first shown on BBC2. When I watched it I was completely hooked, but what amazed me was the effect it had on my children who were aged 10, 8 and 7 when they saw it. None of us has ever forgotten it and I only recently found out that my youngest son, the 7 year old, watched it so often he knew it word for word all the way through. It's so difficult to pin down the reason for its fascination but it has much to do with the acting ability of the performers, turning an ordinary working class family punch-up into something so watchable. When we saw it we were living in a house on a council estate so we could relate to the content (although our neighbours were much, much worse!). However, our family didn't have such complex relationships so maybe it opened my children's minds - and the ending was happy. I tried very hard to get this on DVD but failed - one source told me that it has something to do with copyright held in the USA (why?). Such a shame as it should be seen more often even now, I can't understand why action isn't taken to get this back on our screens. I'm the lucky one! I still have the recording and still have a working video player!!! I watched it again last year and STILL love it. Phil Davis will forever be 'Dick' to my family and we'll never forget the scene on the stairs! We still quote lines to each other from the play, such as 'get out and milk it!' and 'handy Mandy'. No other play or film has affected all of us in the same way.
excellent film
robertocartera28 December 2005
if you are a mike leigh fan then this one really is a must.
it is undoubtedly dated and technically crude - it was filmed in 1980 for TV - but in a way this adds to the sense of period.
the acting is superb - both hilarious and moving in the same way that secrets and lies was. in many ways this piece is in fact the precursor to that movie. the character brenda blethyn plays is an obvious relation to the one in secrets and lies and just as touching and funny. she is the lynch-pin here and the instigator of the more farcical elements. yet the other cast members are just as good and provide the background and emotional depth to the piece.
a lot of leigh's early TV work has dimmed with the passing of time, but this is a key work which ranks amongst his best. it marks the transition from a more experimental style to the more confident approach he showed in the cinema thereafter.
i had been wanting to see grown-ups since its first transmission, as i had fond memories of it. when i finally did recently i was not disappointed. it is his most under-rated work and i think one of the crown jewels. i hope you enjoy it as much as i did.
it is undoubtedly dated and technically crude - it was filmed in 1980 for TV - but in a way this adds to the sense of period.
the acting is superb - both hilarious and moving in the same way that secrets and lies was. in many ways this piece is in fact the precursor to that movie. the character brenda blethyn plays is an obvious relation to the one in secrets and lies and just as touching and funny. she is the lynch-pin here and the instigator of the more farcical elements. yet the other cast members are just as good and provide the background and emotional depth to the piece.
a lot of leigh's early TV work has dimmed with the passing of time, but this is a key work which ranks amongst his best. it marks the transition from a more experimental style to the more confident approach he showed in the cinema thereafter.
i had been wanting to see grown-ups since its first transmission, as i had fond memories of it. when i finally did recently i was not disappointed. it is his most under-rated work and i think one of the crown jewels. i hope you enjoy it as much as i did.
These people were more than actors
beresfordjd17 November 2004
When first I saw this incredible film/play I knew none of the actors in it. They totally convinced me of the story and situation-it was like peeping into someone elses life. How much Mike Leigh has to do with it or what is the actors' contribution it is hard to say. However it is a masterpiece of observation. Brenda Blethyn is wonderful ,ably supported by the rest of the cast, all of whom I have seen turn in stellar performances in varied roles in other films and TV productions. If you have never seen it then hunt it down. You will not regret the time spent. It makes one sneer,laugh,cry,think and wonder at the reality of the performances and situation portrayed by this great company.
My Introduction to Mike Leigh
davidjack12 February 2000
I discovered this film quite my accident 20 years ago when I was 14. I was at home with my family, we were flicking from channel to channel trying to find something to watch on telly. We settled on something which I thought was one of the best and funniest things I had ever seen.
This was 'Grown Ups' and it made such an impression that I still remember the characters and some of the scenes even now, I did see it again a year or so later. This film brings to attention just how silly a group of so called grown ups look bickering argueing and bullying each other and how silly their behaviour can seem. The acting was excellent, they were all so realistic. Brenda Blethyn was as good in this film as she was in 'Secrets and Lies'. Her character was similar ( very emotional ). I felt sorry for Gloria and wished someone would protect her from the foul tempered Dick, although I could see she brought a lot of it on herself. I am sure she meant well really.
Since this I have seen many more Mike Leigh films and have become a very big fan. This is one my favourite films of his
I have been trying hard for a long time to obtain this title on Pal Video, can anyone help?
This was 'Grown Ups' and it made such an impression that I still remember the characters and some of the scenes even now, I did see it again a year or so later. This film brings to attention just how silly a group of so called grown ups look bickering argueing and bullying each other and how silly their behaviour can seem. The acting was excellent, they were all so realistic. Brenda Blethyn was as good in this film as she was in 'Secrets and Lies'. Her character was similar ( very emotional ). I felt sorry for Gloria and wished someone would protect her from the foul tempered Dick, although I could see she brought a lot of it on herself. I am sure she meant well really.
Since this I have seen many more Mike Leigh films and have become a very big fan. This is one my favourite films of his
I have been trying hard for a long time to obtain this title on Pal Video, can anyone help?
why no video?
Droneer6 April 2001
I have only seen this once when it first came out 20 years ago,but i still remember it as if it were yesterday,i thought it was wonderful,and i have watched everything Mike Leigh has done ever since,but this is the only one that hasn't been repeated,and for some Unknown reason it is not available on video in the U.K. I would love to see this again,and would like to know why it is only avaiable in the states,as it is a truly British masterpiece.
The funniest programme on TV that I have ever seen.
mcleanshirley24 November 2001
I watched this with my parents when it came out back in 1980 and we rolled about the floor laughing. It is the funniest programme I have ever watched on TV. Brenda Blethyn was a winner way before her Secrets and Lies fame. An absolute cracker.
Music used in scene at Butchers' home....
tonucci821 February 2015
A scene where the Butchers are at home, she knitting, he reading a book about the Loch Ness Monster, uses some classical music in the background (ostensibly from a radio they have on). The melody is quite infectious and I knew I'd heard it before but I couldn't place it. A call to my local classical music station, WBJC-FM, solved the problem: I hummed the melody over the phone to the evening on-air host, Reed Hessler, who identified it right away as from Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake' (Act II, Dances of the Swans: V. Andante - Andante non troppo - Allegro). As Mr. Hessler said, "I know a woman who hates Tchaikovsky, because she says every time she can't get a melody out of her head it turns out to be by him!"
Brilliant Satire
muscleco24 January 2010
Luckily I made a Betamax copy of this when it came out. (Which I subsequently put on DVD, although it's flickery black and white now.) Brilliant, subversive, deliciously acid, its observation of mundane suburban life was accurate, pitiless and yet left you feeling for the characters.
All the actors went on to well- deserved fame in their own right. Each performance was a gem you can enjoy over and over and over again.
Strange it has never reappeared on the Box. I still come out with lines from Grown Ups, although it is 30 years ago, like one does with Abigail :-)
"That's handy, Mandy" Must dig it out and have another view.
All the actors went on to well- deserved fame in their own right. Each performance was a gem you can enjoy over and over and over again.
Strange it has never reappeared on the Box. I still come out with lines from Grown Ups, although it is 30 years ago, like one does with Abigail :-)
"That's handy, Mandy" Must dig it out and have another view.
Mike Leigh's greatest and most under-rated comedy
brelliott1817 December 2007
The working class / chav equivalent of ' Abigail's Party ' and is even funnier.
I cannot understand why this has not been made available on DVD in UK format or video. It is one of the greatest comedies you will ever see. It is over 30 years since I last saw it with some friends and when I now rarely see them [ I have moved some distance ] we always remark that it has not been repeated or released on DVD.
The plot revolves around Dick and his girlfriend and her awful sister who is constantly visiting them much to Dick's annoyance. One of these character's ex-teachers lives next door with his frustrated wife. The husband is only interested in dinosaurs and the play revolves around their relationships.
I cannot understand why this has not been made available on DVD in UK format or video. It is one of the greatest comedies you will ever see. It is over 30 years since I last saw it with some friends and when I now rarely see them [ I have moved some distance ] we always remark that it has not been repeated or released on DVD.
The plot revolves around Dick and his girlfriend and her awful sister who is constantly visiting them much to Dick's annoyance. One of these character's ex-teachers lives next door with his frustrated wife. The husband is only interested in dinosaurs and the play revolves around their relationships.
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