krocheav It will be a sorry day for quality cinema when Mike Lee stops making movies. Often, his themes are so challenging you'd mistakenly think not many people will go to see them - then you see the box office returns and glowing reviews. As with many other Lee movies real life oozes out of every scene - these can be funny, sad or just mesmerising - "Another Year" is no exception. Marvellous performances roll off the screen from Lesley Ann Manville as Mary and Jim Broadbent as Tom (both stunning in Mike's "Topsy Turvy" '99). Dick Pope delivers sparkling images and Gary Yershon fitting music. Can't say much more about this slice-of-life without spoiling it. It's the type of thing Kenneth Lonergan attempted with 'Manchester by the Sea' but failed to develop in a fully convincing way (even though the 'critics' jumped up and down - check out the many viewer evaluations, they seem a lot more honest. 'Another Year' is another for Lee followers or those who can appreciate seeing life's challenges presented realistically on screen.

Raj Doctor Normally I write a movie review immediately after seeing the movie, because it is fresh to recollect the movie. When I was browsing the TV today and saw this movie, I stopped. I remember loving this movie when I had seen for the first time. Then I remembered that I did not write the movie review then. I was myself surprised, and I made it a point to write the review this time. So here it is. The story is beautifully told with passing of four seasons of a year – that is why it is titled ANOTHER YEAR. Tom (Jim Broadbent) a geologist and Gerri (Ruth Sheen) a counselor are older married couple who encounter friends and family with their underlying issues. First one is Mary (Leslie Manville) is a middle-aged divorcée receptionist, heavy alcoholic desperate seeking a new relationship – and eye Tom and Gerri's son Joe (Oliver Maltman) who is much younger - around 30 years old. Second is Ken (Peter Wight), Tom's school friend, who is overweight, a compulsive eater, drinker and smoker. Third is Ronnie (David Bradley) , estranged son of Tom's brother, who arrives late and is angry with everyone for not delaying his mother's funeral ceremony. Through the relationships of these characters, director Mike Leigh beautifully exploits the togetherness and loneliness with warmth, tenderness, kindness, giving, emotional loss, yearnings, and nurturing, growing old together. There are some well executed scenes that resonate with audiences in terms of the assembled cast and crew delivering on the spot improvisation and inventiveness in executing an endearing scene. Mary's drunkenness, Mary's romantic advances towards Joe, Mary's reluctance and rejection of Ken's advances, Mary's hostility towards Joe's girlfriend Katie (Karina Fernandez), Mary's apology to Gerri for her behavior and the last lingering scene where Mary is lost and uncertain on a happy dinner night. It is Mary's under-current role (exit & entry) all the way that weaves this story. It was not a wonder that Leslie Manville won several best actress awards for her brilliant portrayal of this role. A special mention for Director Mike Leigh for writing a script and screenplay that leaves trust and scope for exceptional improvisation to imbibe the flow of scenes and characters. Not many can achieve this finesse. I will go with 7.75 out of 10

ckrick-1 One year. In your life? In anybody's life? In everybody's life?The film begins with an encounter between everywoman and her doctor: the great Imelda Staunton, pinched and bothered, being treated for insomnia. She hasn't seen a doctor in a year and she wants some pills to put her out. The best of us portraying the worst of us asking god to anesthetize us. But god won't hear of it. She recommends we get some counseling instead - from her servant and representative in this world, Gerri - whose better half Tom also reaches out benevolently to those less fortunate, caricatures full of ticks and jerks and obsessive behavior and mournful looks. And so we experience a year – four seasons in the life of these people who are also angels as they toil in the garden. We're unaccustomed to their presence, their goodness. We wonder why they don't have problems. It's because their friends and family do. Though benevolent and sublime, Tom and Gerri can only offer so much help. And when Gerri feels the line has been crossed that threatens her family, the stern parent emerges. Not angry, but devastatingly disappointed. That straightens Mary right up. And in the end Mary seems to accept that she won't be lifted up. She'll be lucky to not be left behind. But that's better, even if you can't understand what anyone around you is saying. Or is it?

tlonuqbar This a quite worth film to watch, but please: do not watch it if you are in the mood for a comedy. This is just plain drama: human's emotional misery & dysfunctional family & friendship relationships. REALITY really is shown here. It's actors give an amazing, heart-felt performance, every & each of them, capable of long & close shots, showing the transformation in themselves.If you watch this film & you liked it, you might want to watch - Muriel's wedding - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110598/ - Young adult - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1625346/ - Greenberg - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1234654/ - Me and You and Everyone We Know - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0415978/