With his debut feature, Bleak Moments, turning 50 this year, and his directing career still going strong, now is as good a time as any to look back at the work of Mike Leigh.
An English director whose work touches on all facets of life in modern Britain, Leigh is one of the trailblazers of the "social realism" movement, alongside directors such as Ken Loach and Alan Clarke. Despite the stereotypes associated with movies from the movement, Leigh has a diverse body of work, ranging from modern dystopias to lavish period pieces.
Happy-Go-Lucky (2008) - 3.7
A breakout role for the delightful Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky is one of Leigh's funniest movies. The movie follows Poppy, a teacher brimming with joy, who wants to bring happiness to everyone around her, oblivious as to why people around her find her happiness somewhat annoying.
It's lucky that Sally Hawkins delivers such a magnificent performance because Poppy's unwavering optimism could be rather irksome after a while. She truly embodies the character, and whether it's her crackpot driving teacher or her best friend, her positive outlook truly changes those around her.
Meantime (1983) - 3.8
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His second feature, featuring breakout performances from Tim Roth and Gary Oldman, Meantime is still (sadly) relevant today. The movie follows a working-class family in London's East End, as they struggle to stay afloat in the midst of recession in Thatcher's Britain.
A deeply political movie with so much to say even today, Meantime shows Leigh's mastery of weaving politics and a narrative that everyone can get behind. The struggle of the young teenagers to get jobs is one a lot of young people can relate to, and through his unique approach to movie making, Leigh is able to bring these characters to life.
Topsy-Turvy (1999) - 3.8
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One of Leigh's four period pieces, Topsy-Turvy is, on the surface, a radical departure from his usual style. It follows the relationship between Gilbert and Sullivan, a Victorian-era partnership of dramatist and composer, and the struggles they face to reach success after their latest failure.
An acclaimed costume drama, Topsy-Turvy is a quick-witted yet serious picture about the power of determination and perseverance. The performances are all terrific, particularly those of Jim Broadbent and Allan Corduner, who play Gilbert and Sullivan respectively, and the cinematography from frequent collaborator Dick Pope is vibrant and bursting with color.
All Or Nothing (2002) - 3.8
Starring the always marvelous Timothy Spall, of whom Leigh is a regular collaborator, All Or Nothing is a great character study. The movie follows a family living in London, as they struggle to figure out what to do with their joyless lives.
With a cast that features Lesley Manville, Sally Hawkins, and James Corden, All Or Nothing is a masterful study of life's bleakness. While the portrayal of the family in All Or Nothing is hardly flattering, it is humorous and, more importantly, unflinching in its honesty, a crucial part of Leigh's work.
High Hopes (1988) - 3.8
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Another deeply political movie from Leigh, High Hopes is a darkly-comedic picture set during the dying days of Thatcherism. It follows a sweet working-class couple, Shirley and Cyril, as they try to survive while clashing with their dreadfully-snobbish upper-class neighbors.
With the focus on class struggles being a big thing for Leigh, High Hopes is full of typically astute observations about life and those around us. It also has a socialist as the lead character and invites a wider audience to empathize with this rather contentious ideology. It is to Leigh's credit as a writer and director that he succeeds.
Vera Drake (2004) - 3.9
An important and necessary picture for Leigh fans, Vera Drake tells of the eponymous kind-hearted yet controversial figure. The movie follows the aforementioned character as she performs secret abortions in 1950s Britain when abortion was very much illegal.
Boasting a stellar lead performance from Imelda Staunton, best known for the role of Dolores Umbridge, Vera Drake is a compassionate depiction of a debate that will never be settled. While Leigh clearly leans on the side of Drake, he does not let his own biases get in the way of highlighting the damage she causes.
Another Year (2010) - 3.9
One of Leigh's lesser-discussed films, yet no less worthwhile, Another Year is a very low-key portrayal of family life. The movie follows an older couple, very happy with their current lives, as they are visited by family who are not as happy.
Set over a year and tracking the evolution of these characters, Leigh manages to keep a very low-stakes drama utterly engaging. Jim Broadbent, again, delivers a marvelous performance, and the relationship between him and Lesley Manville is very sweet, making for a wholesome, charming watch.
Life Is Sweet (1990) - 3.9
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An ensemble of oddball characters brings this memorable picture to life. The movie follows a shop assistant, her cook husband, and their twin daughters, over a few weeks of their lives as working-class people in London.
Starring Mike Leigh regulars such as Alison Steadman and Timothy Spall, Life Is Sweet is a reliably entertaining picture from Leigh, one that shines a light on the working-class family and imbues them with humor. Again set against the backdrop of Thatcherism, Life Is Sweet manages to find the funny side in a time when many are cynical.
Naked (1993) - 4.0
Held in high regard against movie lovers, Naked proved to audiences that they do indeed live in a society. The movie follows Johnny, a vastly intelligent yet aimless vagrant, as he explores the innards of London, talking all the way and ruining virtually everyone's day.
With a magnificent lead performance from David Thewlis, who won Best Actor at Cannes, Naked is a drama with pitch-black comedy that never fails to remind the audience of the worst aspects of humanity. Despite its contemporary setting, it's positively apocalyptic in its portrayal of city life.
Secrets And Lies (1996) - 4.1
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Winning the Palme D'or at Cannes, Mike Leigh's Secrets And Lies is a masterclass in performance and screenwriting. The movie follows a Black optometrist who, following the deaths of her adoptive parents, decides to track down her birth mother, only to discover that she is white.
With themes of identity and racism in modern Britain, Secrets And Lies is a pitch-perfect drama. The scenarios Leigh creates allow audiences to sit back and watch, awestruck, as the characters keep talking, only to dig themselves into bigger and bigger holes. For those unacquainted with Leigh's work, this is the best place to start.