This was such an amazing movie, and my personal favorite of the year. The movie relied on mostly dialogue and acting, which it did greatly. Mike Leigh just had the camera focused on a small area for a couple of minutes while smart dialouge and great acting was portrayed, giving the film its more human attitude and tone. And the acting was excellent. Jim Broadbent was great as Tom, who kind of has that dry sense of humor and is just a genuinely nice guy. Ruth Sheen was as equally as great as Gerri, showing care and empathy for Mary, and always being there for her. But Lesley Manville is the most impressive performance here. She plays Mary, the friend of Tom and Gerri. She is older, not married, no children, and still emotionally searching. Very fragile, and needy. Lesley Manville was excellent. Next, the screenplay. This earned the film its only Oscar nomination, and it was well deserved. Truly smart, sad, witty, screenplay which makes this story of everyday people so complex and interesting. It develops each character well. And Mike Leigh's directing was also excellent. He has a style of having his actors doing the work. For example, Tom and Gerri getting the door for Mary, and the camera just sits there, as the actors work together so beautifully. This film (which deserved other Oscar nominations such as Best Actress and Best Picture) wasn't nominated as much because its a much more smaller movie, with a small story about everyday people. After seeing it, I went through every Best Picture nominated movie and compared it to "Another Year" and I really think it was better than everyone. This movie is just much smaller, and very subtle. (Spoiler) So to wrap it up, I have to say that this movie had the best ending of the year. The way the camera starts at Tom at the dinner table, then pans over to John and Kate together, then behind Gerri, then infront, then eventually goes over to Tom again, then lastly to Mary, who at the time is a mess. The way the volume is cut out, and focuses on her, its so amazing, and it makes it one of the most thought-provoking moments in film that I have ever seen.
Review of Another Year
