Another Year

In British filmmaker Mike Leigh's bittersweet, compassionate character study, having a partner to share the vicissitudes of life is what makes the difference between loneliness and happiness. Divided into seasonal sections, the story revolves around geological engineer Tom (Jim Broadbent), his medical counselor/therapist wife Gerri (Ruth Sheen), and her administrative assistant colleague Mary (Leslie Manville). Long-married Gerri and Tom have a comfortable, nurturing relationship, diligently raising vegetables together in the local communal garden and sharing parental concern over their 30-year-old lawyer son Joe (Oliver Maltman). In contrast, brittle Mary is in her late 40s, divorced, and desperately searching for emotional nourishment—often at the harmonious home of Gerri and Tom, where she meets a succession of ineligible or inappropriate men. Leigh's naturalistic style lends itself perfectly to this low-key, slice-of-life drama exploring what might happen psychologically to older women when disappointment begins to settle in. Recommended. [Note: Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Mike Leigh and costar Lesley Manville, a “making-of” featurette (13 min.), “The Mike Leigh Method” production featurette (12 min.), a bonus DVD copy of the film, the BD-Live function, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for another winner from director Leigh. (S. Granger)