Review of Another Year (2010) by Amilcar A — 13 Feb 2011

The average American will go to the movies on average 4.8 times a year. 2 of these 5 will be Harry Potter and something equally idiotic so the odds that they get to see a wonderful film like another year are almost zero.

Mike Leigh has built a career on creating movies about real people. In his movies people look much like the folk you'll meet on the street. They have problems but seldom are they outlandish on implausible. Many of his characters are also flawed but not criminally inclined.

Another year is a great story about a couple and their close family and friends. Tom and Gerri seem to be a pretty unique species. They are an aging couple (early 60's) with good jobs, a nice son and a passion for gardening. Boring right?

Well not at all. They also have a life and all the small details that make it interesting. Gerri has befriended her secretary, an aging woman who might have been pleasant to the eyes in yesteryear but is now sad an drinks too much.

Tom also has a friend, who is equally lonely, drunk and too fat. He is so depressed that he continues to work only to have something to do . Tom's brother also has a role in his life. He is such a burnt and tired man that he barely speaks and has not seen his son in years. He doesn't even know if he's married.

Another year is very dramatic and sad but also has some sweet moments. Tom and Gerri are good people. They are generous, understanding and irreparably patient. I would have killed most of those friends ages ago.

Mike Leigh scores with this nice movie. Perhaps there are some scenes that go on too long and a bit more joy would have been nice. Joe (the son) has a lovely girlfriend who could have been showcased more but seems to falter in the background.

Great movie all around.