Life Is Sweet [DVD]

A lot of recognisable faces in this but not the best acting.

I have long been a fan of Mike Leigh's productions and this is one in particular is a gem.Strong performances from a reliable and hearty cast, including a screen-stealer from a young Jane Horrocks. She brings a complex and compelling character to the screen. Alison Steadman plays beautifully against Horrocks antagonistic attitude.There isn't much of plot to speak of, but that's the point; life is not predictable and it's not always sweet. It's all in the details.

Enjoyed the British film of the 1980’s

Was a little apprehensive when I saw the low resolution logos and clips from other Film 4 titles preceding the main menu, but most relieved to see that this has an authentic transfer. The Blu-ray disc is single-layered with bit-rates in the mid-20's. This was a low budget production and this edition looks just as it appeared projected in cinemas. No obvious digital nose reduction nor other annoying efforts have been applied to try and "improve" the picture, which is naturally very grainy, having been shot on 16 mm. The sound is a rather feeble 2-channel Dolby Digital - but again: this is a Mike Leigh film from 1990, not something directed by David Fincher last year. The English subtitles are good. The disc is region free. This is how Fabulous Films should have done their remarkably poor edition of High Hopes. Sadly, no extras.Edit 16 February 2013: Now Criterion are putting this out with a commentary from Mike Leigh. That one will be the edition to get.

Excellent Mike Lee observational comedy drama! The characters are both ridiculously funny and nauseatingly embarrassing - Alison Steadman with her neighing laugh plays the upbeat mother trying to keep the family happy and sane - the daft, gullible dad is played to perfection by Jim Broadbent and the twin sisters, one a quiet, sensible Plumber, the other, played by Jane Horrocks, a twitchy bag of nerves going nowhere with her life, alternately scoffing Mars Bars and vomiting into carrier bags, she tries to hide her anorexia with empty political declamations and violent outbursts.Because the film is quite old it's a joy to see the actors in their youth - Jim Broadbent with black hair and beard and the boyfriend of the anorexic twin - David Thewlis - the complete opposite to our usual perception of him as kind, caring Professor Lupin in the Harry Potter films. Timothy Spall makes an appearance as the deluded restaurant owner who forgets to print the menus or advertise his new business then goes drunkenly berserk when no one comes on the first night! A riot of laughs with undertones of sadness and an early observation of the condition of anorexia and how it affects the normality of family life.

Love this film was very good movie watch this on tv very long time ago was waiting for this to come to to dvd was so glad love this film was true life you can relate to I love the t-shirt on jane hancock b to the poll tax and loved the song at the begining holiday song and love the kids at the dance class three kids just looked like my mates when they were younger I would have like to have seen moor of the children and would have liked to see the burger van up and running and it was funny with tim sporle in the red sports car but no job but then get a restrunt set up but no one comes to eat sad part he got drunk then the twins dad breaks his leg on a serving spoon in the kitchen but the date on the spoon was the year the twins was born its worth moor than 5 star rating good acting all round

I like this kind of film. It just depicts life in Britain at that time. I was a teen when this came out so seeing pocket TV's and 'the smiths' T-shirts was a good bit of nostalgia. It's generally upbeat with good, funny characters. No spoilers, because there's no plot - and that's how it should be in my opinion - natural.

Maybe not Leigh’s most poignant or searching work, but rich with pathos and featuring some brilliant performances from a top class cast. I had not seen this film in 25 years or so and It records family life in a very different time from the now of 2018; yet, have the intricacies of the family dynamic changed that much?