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Cast

Jim Broadbent
as Tom

Ruth Sheen
as Gerri

Lesley Manville
as Mary

Oliver Maltman
as Joe

Peter Wight
as Ken

Martin Savage
as Carl

Karina Fernandez
as Katie

Michele Austin
as Tanya

Philip Davis
as Jack

Imelda Staunton
as Janet

Stuart McQuarrie
as Tom's Colleague

Eileen Davies
as Mourner

Mary Jo Randle
as Mourner

Ben Roberts
as Mourner

David Hobbs
as Vicar

Buddy Uzzaman
as Mr. Gupta

Badi Uzzaman
as Mr. Gupta

Meneka Das
as Mr. Gupta's Friend

Ralph Ineson
as Drill Worker

Edna Dore
as Allotment Lady

Gary Powell
as Man in Bar

Lisa McDonald
as Girl in Bar

Phil Davis
as Jack

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Critic Reviews for Another Year

Audience Reviews for Another Year

• May 02, 2014

  A couple's dysfunctional friends have problems associated with depression and failed relationships. Mike Leigh's films are character pieces that occasionally revolve around a theme, but Another Year lacks a central theme or compelling characters. The film is episodic, and the central characters, played by Jim Broadbent and Lesley Manville, survive the film without any profound challenges or conflicts. In essence, they are perfect and everyone around them are fucked up, which makes them boring sticks in the wind. The other characters fail to compel any great emotion. I've read other reviewers whose positive reviews suggest that this film is an affirmation of life. Besides the fact that affirmations of life don't do much for a cynical old bastard like me, true affirmations of life come because one is challenged and survives, not because one looks detached at others' troubles. Overall, I'm starting to give up on Mike Leigh, especially after that Happy Go Lucky shit.
  Jim H Super Reviewer
• Jul 17, 2013

  One guarantee in Leigh's dramas is that the audience will receive fully multi-layered characters, as realistic and believable as people are in real life. For bringing such immaculate personifications on screen, you need a deep understanding of human psychology. Leigh manages to show his empathy and comprehension of these authentic human souls through a) extraordinary performances by either a leading role and some secondary characters, or b) great performances by the entire cast. Here, we have the first case, in which Lesley Manville's persona hides under what seems to be a film with an old couple as main characters. Nobody is a main character here if we exclude the fact that we are invited by the film to stay, talk and eat with Tom and Gerri (heh), who are surrounded by the rest of the people for an entire year. Yet, Leigh always challenges his characters. Either he creates situations that unleash emotional explosions or catharsis, in which they are forced to nude their souls out of their needs to be heard and understood. That is why Winter is my favorite segment; that sequence engulfed the whole theater in silence and expectancy, the scene felt real and honest, the grey tones transmitted us the sadness, and the cold air could be breathed. And so has passed another year: four more seasons of unpredictable events, funerals, family reunions, quarrels and golf matches, with an almost perfect screenplay that allowed a dialogue evolution in the most faithful tradition of Eric Rohmer. 83/100
  Edgar C Super Reviewer
• Apr 26, 2012

  Another Year is a slow paced tale, from director Mike Leigh, of a couple in their late middle age and their circle of friends over the course of a year. The marvelous Jim Broadbent (Tom) and Ruth Sheen (Gerry) star in this and it is their interplay as the happily married couple that makes this such a delight to watch. It is wordy, but the dialog feels so natural and Gerry's snaggletooth smile is so charming that the film never seems to drag. Lesley Manville plays Mary, a coworker and friend of Mary with a raw neediness that almost pains one to watch. This is definitely not a thrill ride. Be prepared to get emotionally invested in the lives of these ordinary people as they deal with friendship, pain, loss, and new-found love.
  

  Mark A Super Reviewer
• Mar 16, 2012

  The husband and wife we follow are the essence of Buddha; they live in the moment, aware of the hysterical nature of reality, the delicacy of the human condition, and the sublime beauty of a simple life - tea, a garden, family, and friends. Like a magnet, they draw in people throughout the year who are trying very hard to avoid living in the moment, and we watch them struggle, falling further with the help of various chemicals. This movie captures the genuine spontaneity and flow of life and shows what it looks like when good, albeit human people handle it with joy.
  

  Matthew S Super Reviewer

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