Life Is Sweet [Region 2]

I saw LIFE IS SWEET in the early 1990s after it had received all kinds of acclaim and awards. Since then it has remained one of my favorite movies of all time, on a list that includes LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, THE GODFATHER, CASABLANCA, GOODFELLAS, REAR WINDOW and AMADEUS.Having said that, I will concede that this is not a film for everyone. Those who like mainstream Hollywood fare and consider Julia Roberts and Sandra Bullock two of the greatest comic actresses of their generation probably won't like this movie. If, on the other hand, you like little independent films that are smart and different and truthful and absolutely one-of-a-kind, this may be right up your alley.It's offbeat. Absurd. At times even a little weird. And for all of those reasons it stands out for me as one of the truest depictions of family life I've ever seen on film, because most families are offbeat, absurd and at times even a little weird.The writing is superb -- you won't find many films with a finer ear for dialogue -- and the acting, in particular by Jane Horrocks, Alison Steadman and a very young David Thewlis, is mesmerizing.This film began my infatuation with the films of Mike Leigh, which continued a couple years later with the amazing NAKED, followed by SECRETS AND LIES, CAREER GIRLS, TOPSY TURVY, ALL OR NOTHING, VERA DRAKE, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY and most recently, ANOTHER YEAR.This is a film I've always come back to at least once a year, and each time I've been blown away by how wonderful it is -- but until April 2011, it was not available on DVD, except in Region 2 (Europe). And so for years I had to content myself with watching it on VHS! On a cathode-ray-tube television set! As soon as the Region 1 version became available on Amazon, I snatched it up immediately. I wish the transfer had been a bit better, although there's something about the roughness of the print that actually makes a film like this better.I've probably talked it up too much. It's never good to go into any film with too high expectations. At the end of the day, it's a little, low-budget independent film, but one that's full of some very big gifts for the discerning moviegoer. I recommend you buy the DVD and judge for yourself.

Director/writer Mike Leigh's working methods are, by now, legendary. He customarily gathers his hand-chosen cast well before filming begins to flesh out characters on their own based on his outline of events and then encourages improvisation to allow the performer to inhabit the character, rather than a stock, lifeless portrayal. The actors aren't the only ones to benefit from this theatre-like approach to filmmaking; Leigh's core audiences eagerly await each entry to his already estimable canon with great anticipation. While SECRETS AND LIES is more dramatic and TOPSY TURVY more cinematic, for me LIFE IS SWEET is the most memorable of his films. Perhaps its the sweet, world-weary musical score from the wonderful Rachel Portman. Or the concentration on just a few days in the lives of a working-class British family and their small circle of friends. Not to mention the miraculous performances of Jane Horrocks as the anguished Nicola--half of a twin sister set (the sublimely droll Claire Skinner is her offset) and the triumphant, life-affirming work of Alison Steadman (Leigh's real-life spouse) as Wendy, the earth-mother with seemingly limitless patience. Since this film, Jim Broadbent, Timothy Spall, David Thewlis, and Stephen Rea have gone on to great successes in films like ENCHANTED APRIL, THE CRYING GAME, NAKED, SHOOTING THE PAST, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, and TOPSY-TURVY, establishing themselves as invaluable players in modern cinema, whether in lead or supporting roles.LIFE IS SWEET may seem to not "go anywhere" in modern terms, but look closely and the delightful, profoundly moving rewards will suprise you and no doubt lead to repeated viewings, even if just to enjoy Ms Steadman's infectious laugh. A must see for fans of British comedy and drama.

One of the most delightful, charming, and madcap bits of British humor to ever hit the major screen. The cast are are all off the English A list of players and then some as we meet Anne Horrocks and Timothy Spall in their earlier roles of a disfunction family of 4 plus friends and early peek at David Thewlis (two of these are fraternal twins as opposite as it ever gets). I will nor spoil or soil the oddities forthcoming.There's not a sane bugger in whole bunch as the story unfolds and subtlely draws you in before you realize you are hooked. Kooky runs abundant as potty mouth and epervessant co-exist in the same family when the thread of love undefined sews a sweater of laughter and uncanny into a much misaligned family very comfortable in their own insults to, from, and aimed dead center toward each other with repetition (including all their close cohorts as friends).This corny and awesome film will eat it's way into your heart and subconscious. Witness Jim Broarbent, Allison Steadman (whose laughter tinklesover the top of entiire show) Anne Horrocks, Timothy Spalls, Claire Skinner, Stephen Rea, and David Thewlis in one of the most off beat comedies let loose on a public awaiting and unexpecting, this love letter of crooked but sincere hearts all sung to a beautiful musical score by Rachel Portman. I cannot stop watching this and my rapture with becomes more fetching with each viewing. Unlike a lot of family comedy films from this era, this one strikes home with an arrow hitting dead center time and again. Mike Leigh as director hits his first international grand slam.