The Mike Leigh Blog 9

Topsy Turvy (1999)


Periodically, stylistically, in every way the biggest departure from the Mike Leigh signature style.  Probably.  This film, about the writing and rehearsal of Gilbert & Sullivan's Mikado, appeals to me in much the same way as 'Fame' and 'A Chorus Line' in that it has that 'backstage' quality.  


I think if you've ever been involved in the theatre (I have) you will enjoy this kind of thing.


But it is also a gentle comedy with some beautiful performances and the music is fantastic - it's a real manifesto for G&S.  I had no appreciation of it before, and I can't say I've searched it out since, but Leigh handles it so well - just sitting the camera basically in the audience and letting the theatrical performance do its thing.  You will enjoy it, whatever your precious feelings about the two Victorian fuddy-duddies (who are portrayed as being no such thing).


It's a gorgeous little film - I love it.

All or Nothing (2002)


This film returns very much to Leigh's usual style - in fact it seems more like one of his 80s films in many ways.  It was proclaimed as being his best film on release - but then every new film he brings out is lauded in that way these days.


It isn't his best film but it is an excellent character piece with fabulous performances once again.  The standout performance for me was actually James Corden as the unbelievably grumpy and non-communicative teenage son who ultimately has a heart attack and brings about one of those Leigh crises - a moment which hurls the characters together and explodes their attributes. 


Like the birthday party way back in 'High Hopes', the argument about the country code in 'Nuts in May', Cyth's revelation in 'Secrets and Lies'.


It's a definite Leigh technique :  build characters, then drop a bomb in their lives and see what happens.


Returning to James Corden, this was the first thing I ever saw him in and for ages I thought of him as 'that bloke from All or Nothing'.  He really is a great actor - as are all the other more regular members of Leighs 'Rep' who appear here.

Vera Drake (2004)


Another film often said to be Leigh's best.  No doubt, the standard of his films from the 90s onwards has been constantly, brilliantly high - so why he is still not given the recognition he deserves is utterly beyond me.  Where is his Oscar?


Vera Drake was nominated but it wasn't to be.  It's another historical tale about a woman who is a kind, caring member of society who happens to provide the service of abortionist to the community.  She is eventually punished by the intolerant society in which she lives - even she would have saved countless lives no doubt by doing this deed with at least some experience.  Although the grimness of what she does is not passed over - and she is certainly not a medical professional.


It's not one of the films I am most familiar with - I would like to see it again, definitely.  


It features a well known example of Leigh's method - her family weren't aware that she was an abortionist when the film was being improvised and written.
It was while they were improvising a family get together that the 'police' burst in and arrested her.  Once again - throw a grenade into their lives and see what happens.


It's a powerful film, essential viewing.  Would you expect anything else by this stage ?