film review: Another Year by Mike Leigh
The backstory: Nominated for Best Original Screenplay at this year's Oscars, as well as two BAFTAs: Outstanding British film and Best Supporting Actress, Lesley Manville (it won neither.) The basics: Another Year is the story of Tom and Gerri, a late middle-aged couple who remain happily married. Despite their happiness, no one else around them seems to share it. Their son Joe is the closest to happiness at the beginning of the film, but he longs for a relationship. In the unhappy camp are Mary, a co-worker of Gerri's, and Ken, an old friend of Joe's, both of whom drink to excess whenever they're on screen. My thoughts: The film is broken into four seasons in a seemingly typical year of Tom and Gerri's life. The first three seasons seem like vignettes. The script is dynamic, the characters are well-developed, and the acting is superb. There's little to no plot to speak of, but the film moves along at a lovely pace. I was riveted by the performances. Lesl...