This was Mike Leigh's first feature length film, and to my mind remains one of his most powerful. I'm afraid I must disagree with other reviewers who refer to this film as a period piece or merely "a slice of social history". This film like many of Mike's other films is about the breakdown in personal communication within an increasingly alienated society, and as such is more relevant now than ever before. However in Bleak Moments this breakdown of communication results in a peculiarly British or English form of repression -virtually all the characters are introverted or repressed in some way. The theme of communication throughout the film is made obvious in a scene where a character discusses the author Marshall Mcluhan and his theory that in mass media the real message is in the method of communication. The lack of meaningful communication and silence in these peoples lives is reflected in the fact that there is no external music in the film. Like most 'Dogme' films the only music to be found is made by the characters in the film - in this case Norman playing his guitar.
The film revolves around the pleasant but withdrawn character of Sylvia (played by Anne Raitt) Lonely and always dressed in black she lives in a dreary suburban area with her handicapped sister Hilda (Sarah Stephenson) who she cares for. During the film Sylvia befriends a very nervous hippie from Scunthorpe called Norman (Mike Bradwell) who is renting her garage. But perhaps the most disturbed character is the chronically repressed and somewhat misanthropic school teacher Peter (Eric Allan). One senses that Sylvia and Peter both desire some sort of intimate relationship with each other, but that the level of communication and emotional development required for such personal involvement would make it unlikely to develop.
The truly astonishing thing about this film is how they succeed in taking this depiction of repression and nervousness to such an extreme level without it becoming farcical, and also retain well rounded and believable characters. This is due in large part to the strength of the acting, which Mike always manages to get from his talented performers. The characters inner worlds are shown not so much through speech but through their physicality and above all their facial expressions. We may never meet people quite as repressed or introverted as these characters, but the directors purpose in accentuating these tendencies is to make clearer the dangers and shortcomings of such tendencies.
Finally, although the film title is appropriate, and the awkwardness of the characters is often difficult to watch, the film is not without humour. In fact watching this the second time around i found myself roaring with laughter occasionally. We are not, however, invited to laugh at them in a cruel way, rather they make us laugh in the same way that real people's idiosyncrasies can make us laugh. I strongly recommend viewing this film. A masterpiece in my opinion, and a work of tremendous psychological depth.
The film revolves around the pleasant but withdrawn character of Sylvia (played by Anne Raitt) Lonely and always dressed in black she lives in a dreary suburban area with her handicapped sister Hilda (Sarah Stephenson) who she cares for. During the film Sylvia befriends a very nervous hippie from Scunthorpe called Norman (Mike Bradwell) who is renting her garage. But perhaps the most disturbed character is the chronically repressed and somewhat misanthropic school teacher Peter (Eric Allan). One senses that Sylvia and Peter both desire some sort of intimate relationship with each other, but that the level of communication and emotional development required for such personal involvement would make it unlikely to develop.
The truly astonishing thing about this film is how they succeed in taking this depiction of repression and nervousness to such an extreme level without it becoming farcical, and also retain well rounded and believable characters. This is due in large part to the strength of the acting, which Mike always manages to get from his talented performers. The characters inner worlds are shown not so much through speech but through their physicality and above all their facial expressions. We may never meet people quite as repressed or introverted as these characters, but the directors purpose in accentuating these tendencies is to make clearer the dangers and shortcomings of such tendencies.
Finally, although the film title is appropriate, and the awkwardness of the characters is often difficult to watch, the film is not without humour. In fact watching this the second time around i found myself roaring with laughter occasionally. We are not, however, invited to laugh at them in a cruel way, rather they make us laugh in the same way that real people's idiosyncrasies can make us laugh. I strongly recommend viewing this film. A masterpiece in my opinion, and a work of tremendous psychological depth.