Review of Another Year (2010) by Denise O — 17 Jan 2012

Another Year is the story of Tom and Gerri, played brilliantly by Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen, a happily married couple for over 30 years who continue to enjoy each others company while those around them come to grips with their mortality as well as their reality. Lesley Manville plays Mary, a friend of Gerriâ(TM)s from work who is so lonely and so desperate to be a part of a family that she sees far more into her friendship with them than what is really there.

The film is shot in four seasons. As each season begins a new story, we continue to see the deconstruction of Mary that eventually jeopardizes her relationship with Tom and Gerri (god forbid they should make this easier and give them last names).

Maryâ(TM)s obsession is further exacerbated by her feelings for Tom and Gerriâ(TM)s son, Joe who she sees as a potential way to become part of the family. When Joe brings a girl home to meet mom and dad in Maryâ(TM)s presence, it changes the relationship of the family towards Mary as Mary sees this new girl as a threat to the dynamic of her family.

During the last season of the film we are introduced to Tomâ(TM)s brother Ronnie, played by David Bradley (Argus Filch from the Potter movies), a recently widowed man with an ungrateful son and nothing to keep him in the village he called home. Tom convinces Ronnie to stay with him and Gerri in London. One day while they are out, Ronnie answers a knock at the door to find Mary on the other side. After some brief convincing he allows her into the house where she waits for them to return.

Tom and Gerri are a little put out by Maryâ(TM)s invasion into their home without invitation. Words are spoken that hopefully help Mary understand her place with their family.

As the final scene enfolds; Tom, Gerri, Joe and his girlfriend, Ronnie and Mary all sit at the table. Everyone is having a good time except for Mary and Ronnie for their own individual reasons. Thereâ(TM)s a split second glance that Ronnie gives Mary and you are left wondering if this will become Maryâ(TM)s new way to maneuver herself into the family.

I cannot say enough about Mike Leigh. I truly love the man. He writes such amazing characters and directs them so you feel at home with them. I was Poppy and Zoeâ(TM)s third roommate making bird masks out of brown paper bags in Happy Go Lucky. I was sitting in the coffee shop with Hortense and Cynthia not knowing whose side to stand up for as mother and daughter fought over their relationship in Secrets and Lies. Now, with Another Year, I sit at Tom and Gerriâ(TM)s table amidst their friends and family and the comfort of their home.