GRADE: 8.5
Pansy, angry and depressed, lashes out at family and strangers. Her constant criticism isolates her, except from her cheerful sister Chantal, who remains sympathetic despite their differences.
Director: Mike Leigh
Country: Spain, UK
THOUGHTS:
Another in a long line of exceptional Mike Leigh character studies about people who have mental issues or have been broken down in one way or another by the hardships of living. The giddiness and abundant love of Chantal’s family feels just as real as the darkness and desperation of Pansy’s, which illustrates how empathetic and sensitive Mike Leigh really is as a writer and director. Heartbreaking, difficult, and wonderful all around.