Review of Nil by Mouth (1997) by Michael M — 01 Jan 2008

Wow! 'Nil by Mouth' just might be the most disturbing motion picture I've ever experienced. Gary Oldman (best known for his acting) writes and directs this gritty portrayal of life in a dysfunctional family in South London.

There is Ray (Ray Winstone) the alcoholic/physically abusive husband and father. Ray's abused wife Valerie (Kathy Burke), Valerie's younger drug-addict brother Billy (Charlie Creed-Miles), Valerie's mother Janet (Laila Morse) and Janet's mother Kath (Edna Dore).

The film basically explores the extreme level of dysfunction this family has to offer. It's a gut-wrenching, uncomfortable to watch experience, but it's an incredibly well made film. The best aspect of 'Nil by Mouth' is without a doubt the acting.

The two best performances of the film obviously come from the two leads -- Ray Winstone and Kathy Burke. Kathy Burke gives a difficult and emotionally charged performance. She succeeds in creating what is perhaps the only truly sympathetic character of the film.

She won the Cannes Film Festival Best Actress prize, which doesn't surprise me one bit. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Ray Winstone creates one of the scariest and unlikeable film presences of all time as the boozey-eyed and physically violent Ray.

The best scene of the film features Winstone's character delivering an undeniably powerful monologue about how his father never showed him any love during his life. This tragedy doesn't excuse Ray's abusive behavior by any means, but it possibly opens up an understanding to Ray's horrible actions.

Laila Morse is perfect as the enabling mother of Valerie, and Charles Miles-Creed doesn't miss a beat as the desperate drug-addict son, Billy. Definetaly not a film for everyone, 'Nil by Mouth' is likely to disgust most of it's viewers into turning off the DVD less than half-way into the movie.

But for those who can handle an extremely bleak, pessimistic and frightfully realistic motion picture, I highly recommend Gary Oldman's riveting debut film 'Nil by Mouth'. Grade: B+.