I'm number one

Mike Leigh has had a string of successful films many of which appeal because of their simplicity and heart. It appears that he gives his actors a great deal of time and space to inhabit their characters. They are all very real and recognizable. No one is any more extraordinary than the others. Tom and Jeri are a comfortable couple dealing gracefully with aging. Tom is a geologist/engineer; Jeri is a psychological counselor working at a local medical facility. They entertain, often spontaneously, a number of “friends” less fortunate than themselves. Broken into 4 seasons the story introduces us to several of Jeri’s colleagues, Tom’s old buddy, Tom’s recently widowed brother and his unhappy son, Tom’s and Jeri’s son and others. The minor roles are also carefully developed some quite well in little or no time. My favorite character is Mary a clerical co-worker who considers herself Jeri’s best friend. Jeri accepts that with great compassion and understanding… to the point of being used. But Jeri’s has boundaries and as broad as they are you best not cross them. Mary defines needy. She drinks too much, smokes too much and is extremely careless in her decisions. She dominates the film and acts as a catalyst in many of the dynamics. It’s a beautiful and understated film and another Mike Leigh masterpiece. With only ten minutes to spare I left one theatre and entered a second for the screening of Todo lo que tu quieras [Anything You Want], a Spanish film by Achero Manas. The plot is such that any information might ruin it for you. It’s about a young successful attorney who suddenly finds himself being Father and “Mother” to his toddler daughter. His decisions are unconventional and potentially dangerous. It’s a bit slow but rewarding in it’s advocacy and compassion.