Bleak Moments

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walter m "Bleak Moments" is a primordial instance of Mike Leigh miserablism, that while lacking technically in the sound department, still manages to adequately depict a group of people trapped by circumstances and obligation(Speaking of repression, from one of the movie's stills, I orignally thought it might be set in Victorian England due to the way one of the characters is dressed), set mostly over a single evening with just the barest hint of a light at the end of a tunnel that might not be an oncoming train for once. Sylvia(Anne Raitt) works in an accountant's office as a secretary while she also takes care of her mentally challenged sister Hilda(Sarah Stephenson). While this gives her little time for a social life, she manages to meet Peter(Eric Allan), a teacher who chafes at the intellectual limitations of his job, on the way home. They go out to eat for the evening, leaving Hilda in the care of Pat(Joolia Cappleman), Sylvia's friend and coworker, who also has to care for her invalid mother(Liz Smith). Enter Norman(Mike Bradwell), a musician, who rents Sylvia's garage to live in. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Unbelievably tense early effort from Mike Leigh. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member The most accurate description I have read for Bleak Moments would have to be, "brilliantly excruciating." Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member a film of geat humanity. it watches its characters, lets them breath in a way that only mike leigh can. they dont speak much and say little when they do. its a film about how hard it is to live, how hard it is to speak and be understood and understand others, how hard it is to be and feel alone. not only does it do all this but it performs it with the lightest of touches, often comical. these people are not the best and brightest, but they are people that deserve the theatrical and narrative compassion that leigh constantly extends. a beautiful film. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member A film with downbeat themes of solitude, difficulties of communication, coping with a retarded 29-year-old sister, it has enough human insight sans mawkishness or undue sentimentality to make it wryly funny, with its recognition of human foibles that gives it an edge, charm and warmth, tempered with compassion. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Bleak Moments

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