A Mystery

So how does Mike Leigh make a film that chronicles the shabby, shambling lives of sad, lonely people squabbling and arguing and failing to communicate so that it all feels warm, positive and uplifting? Perhaps because he digs so deep to find the humanity in all his characters. Although it has to be said that 'Mike Leigh' in this context is a technical term meaning a master-director working in ensemble with fine, honest and dedicated actors. The finesse is breath-taking sometimes, the detail extraordinary. And it makes you laugh. The whole thing is shot through with a wry humour that exposes the characters, perhaps brutally, certainly unflinchingly, but never without compassion. A classic 'Mike Leigh', and a great movie.