Rent Mike Leigh at the BBC: Hard Labour / The Permissive Society (1973)
3.9 of 5 from 19 ratings
11h 46min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
As one of Britain's foremost film-makers and dramatists, Mike Leigh has enthralled, disturbed and provoked theatre, television and movie audiences for over 40 years. His first film, Bleak Moments premiered in 1971 to great critical acclaim, but he was not able to direct another feature film for 17 years. Instead he honed his skills on television, leaving an unrivalled legacy – from acclaimed five minute shorts to classic plays. In his television work, Mike Leigh created the style that would make him unique among film-makers. The way he deals with issues of class, race, politics and sexuality in both poignant and comic terms; his working methods of evolving films from intense improvising rehearsals, and his collaboration with great actors – including Alison Steadman, Liz Smith, Lesley Manville, Phil Davis, David Threlfall, Brenda Blethyn and Stephen Rea – make his work instantly recognisable. - Actors:
- Paul Kelman, Roger Sloman, Timothy Spall, Alison Steadman, Brid Brennan, David Threlfall, Phil Davis, Des Mcaleer, Felicity Dean, Sam Kelly, Catherine Hall, Lesley Manville, Brenda Blethyn, Eric Richard, Ben Kingsley, Frances Barber, Stephen Rea
- Directors:
- Mike Leigh
- Studio:
- BBC
- Genres:
- Comedy, Drama
- Collections:
- Remembering: Bernard Hill
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Reviews (1) of Mike Leigh at the BBC: Hard Labour / The Permissive Society
Hilariously funny and painfully sad! - Mike Leigh at the BBC: Hard Labour / The Permissive Society review by TE
'Hard Labour' is a crystalline example of the various facets of Mike Leigh's genius. It's an early work but it's all in there: the dark humour, the social commentary, the use of plain, terse, ordinary speech, and the courageous mix of comedy and tragedy.
It is also a wonderful time capsule in its depiction of raw sexism, racism and class differentials. All such things are still with us, even if in slightly more refined form.
Leigh also shows the other side of the coin in the mother's patient support of an Indian woman in the launderette, and in the daughter's relationship with an Asian taxi driver.
The Catholic church also comes in for some much deserved satire: the bullying nun and the bored, irritable priest in the confessional show the reality behind the mother's blind faith.
There are many memorable scenes and moments, but the prize has to go to the Elliman's Rub massage that the mother has to give to her husband's grotesquely hairy shoulders and back. Leigh was honing his talent for testing the boundaries between humour and desolation.
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