Another Year is a another strong entry from director Mike Leigh. The script works well, dividing up over four seasons in the life of an older married couple. Each character they interact with has some form of unhappiness whether it be problems with alcohol, the hurt of being single, or losing a loved one. Each story comes together perfectly and with top performances make an impressive mark. Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen have great chemistry together on screen whereas David Bradley has a noticeable supporting role. However, Lesley Manville steals the show and offers an award-winning performance. She is able to keep a perfect balance of someone who needs help but also one who you just want to get away and deal with their problems on their own. The only downfall this film may have is some scenes drag on a little bit too long. That is the one bit of the film where audiences may have trouble but if they can stay along the ride with some long scenes, that are helped with a good bit of humor, then they'll find joy in this great piece of work. ***1/2

Another Year felt like four episodes in the middle of a British television series.

Although it portrayed the rare dynamic of a blissful couple supporting their tragically single ( ) friends and family, and it was told refreshingly straight, it just failed to ignite like so many of Mike Leigh's films have before.

The actors are exemplary, the individual scenes superb in their emotional accuracy, but the screenplay fizzles out of steam and jolts to a halt.

I was entertained for the two and a quarter hours, but expected much, much more.


3 out of 5.

First I wanted to strangle Mary, then I just wanted to drown her. The lack of subtlety really annoyed me. 5/10.

You heartless bastard.

8/10 -> B

A week after seeing Allen's latest You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, I saw Another Year. Both movies share some similar themes, but when one fails (YWMATDS) the other one (AY) completely succeeds.

This one is not an easy movie. Mostly because it has a lot of fat that needed to be trimmed. It could've (and should've) been much better paced which would result in a tighter movie. But even as it is, it's still pretty good.

The characters are what make this movie. The whole cast is pretty damn impressive. This is only my second Leigh movie (after a brilliant Happy-Go-Lucky), but I'll definitely check out his previous work now.

That is a very odd definition of a movie that "completely succeeds".

LOL. I was commenting that AY succeeds on the plot points it shares with YWMATDS. I never said (and it's very obvious I don't think) it completely succeeds as a wholesome movie.

Bradley, try misusing quote feature better next time.