Life Is Sweet

R

1991

1h 43m

Comedy

List

93%

15 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

The working-class malaise of suburban London is captured in this comedic drama, which focuses on twin sisters Natalie (Claire Skinner) and Nicola (Jane Horrocks) and their parents: easygoing Andy (Jim Broadbent) and his optimistic wife, Wendy (Alison Steadman). While Natalie has a plumbing job, and tends to take after her mom with her bright outlook, Nicola is on the dole and perpetually dwells on the negative. Will the cloud over Nicola's head ever lift?

Read More

Read Less

Dave S

It's often tempting to compare the early films of a renowned director to his or her classics. In the case of Mike Leigh, Life is Sweet fails to compare favorably to his better known works, namely Naked and Secrets and Lies. Life is Sweet is the story of a working-class London family coming to terms with both their economic woes and their strained interpersonal family dynamics. Throughout, there are some hurdles to overcome, namely a handful of over-the-top performances (Jane Horrocks among them as a morose, nihilistic daughter), an annoying score, and some inconsistent editing. However, it is a movie with its heart in the right place and while it is difficult to love, it is easy enough to like, especially over the last twenty or so minutes when things begin to come together.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/24

Full Review

Audience Member

This went right over my head. Kitchen sink drama from early 90s with no real drama, no plot, nothing. Girl has ridiculous irritating voice, family are boring. A youngish Timothy Spall is only interesting aspect to the film but his part is overplayed. Not too long thankfully but totally pointless to watch. Took nothing from this.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

isla s

This is very much a 90s film about a dysfunctional British family. It was quite amusing, if only for the scenes with Timothy Spall's character - him in big bright red, round glasses was enough to make me laugh, never mind the moody accent and his drunkenness in one scene. The cast is good all round, with a young Jim Broadbent, Jane Horrocks and Clare Skinner etc. There's humour in the dialogue and while its hardly an exciting watch, the characters are certainly quirky (if quite gobby!) and its a pretty entertaining watch. I liked the musical score, which highlights the perhaps eccentricity of things, although some people may feel its a little too sentimental perhaps. I quite enjoyed this film, so yes I'd recommend it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Christopher B

At the same time the film is sweet and good natured and darker when dealing with the real issues underneath the seemingly normal exterior. Life is Sweet is a slice-of-life study of a lower middle-class family which is made up of a Wife and husband both of whom are young for having 20-something year old twin girls, both of whom live at home still. They have some physical similarities but are also vastly different in their fashions and outward appearance as well as mental opposites, Natalie who has a boyish haircut and fashion is optimistic and cheerful while Nicola is coping with some serious depression and anorexia/bulimia issues and has a rather cold disposition towards the world and especially her family. The film dives into the everyday lifestyle of the family and a few close friends and acquaintances but delves underneath to the more serious psychological issues and troubles of those involved and makes for a sentimental look on family life.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/03/22

Full Review

Audience Member

LOL, the funniest 01 hour: and 43 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Eitan D

Funny at times but somewhat too plain and at some parts too grotesque (mainly Aubrey character which is pitiful), this movie doesn't have the bang of Naked unfortunately

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/09/21

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Mike Leigh

Director

Alison Steadman

Wendy

Jim Broadbent

Andy

Timothy Spall

Aubrey

Claire Skinner

Natalie

Jane Horrocks

Nicola

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

100%

40%

Bad Behaviour

88%

88%

Drowning by Numbers

80%

82%

Rita, Sue and Bob Too!

30%

43%

Married to It

97%

86%

The Snapper

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: A-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Most movies begin by knowing everything about their characters. Life is Sweet seems to make discoveries as it goes along; it really feels as if the story is as surprising to the characters as it is to us.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Saffron Maeve

Screen Slate

<i>Life Is Sweet</i> is packed with effusive beats and familial fractures, spackling over the cracks with chocolate and treacle-soaked spinach.

Jul 2, 2022

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a mostly appealing slice-of-life drama...

Rated: 3/4

Jan 26, 2022

Full Review

PJ Nabarro

Patrick Nabarro

By allowing the performances to be so demonstrative, it betrays Leigh's central desire to hammer home the sole conceit or piece of subtext he wants to bring to Life if Sweet.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 16, 2019

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

The working-class malaise of suburban London is captured in this comedic drama, which focuses on twin sisters Natalie (Claire Skinner) and Nicola (Jane Horrocks) and their parents: easygoing Andy (Jim Broadbent) and his optimistic wife, Wendy (Alison Steadman). While Natalie has a plumbing job, and tends to take after her mom with her bright outlook, Nicola is on the dole and perpetually dwells on the negative. Will the cloud over Nicola's head ever lift?

Director: Mike Leigh
Screenwriter: Mike Leigh
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Apr 22, 2011
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Surround