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Amazon.co.uk Review
Writer-director Mike Leigh, after a brief detour into the period drama of Topsy-Turvy, returns to the lives of contemporary working-class Brits. Phil (longtime Leigh collaborator Timothy Spall, Secrets and Lies) is a quiet taxi driver whose marriage to Penny (Lesley Manville) has gone dry, though neither has quite realized it. They bicker with each other and their children and try to find some pleasure in going out with friends, but their friends have their own struggles--even Penny's coworker Maureen (Ruth Sheen), whose naturally buoyant personality is colliding with her resentful daughter's pregnancy. All or Nothing is among Leigh's bleakest films; the relentless misery of these characters' lives is hard to take. But thanks to the incredibly committed acting, when moments of tenderness come, they have a devastating impact. --Bret Fetzer, Amazon.com
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
67 of 68 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Mike Leigh's 'All or Nothing' is a film all about emotions, and how deeply emotional ties within families can run just inches below the surface of everyday life. This is a study of real life, with no frills, and no need for a sensational story or events. Indeed, as such, it is a touch on the heavy-going side, and at times it is pretty depressing stuff... but that is because of the range of emotions that the film explores... loneliness (even within marraige), desperation and hopelessness, the humilation of having to scrape a living and have nothing left at the end of the month, and the sadness of watching love fade. On a par with some of Ken Loach's work, this movie could have been called any number of things, ('Life Is Hard' perhaps??), but is called 'All or Nothing' simply because that is how Phil feels about his faded relationship with his wife. Struggling through life day-to-day, he finally realises that it is the fact that his wife no longer loves him that is the cause of his 'thousand-yard stare', and that he finds the thought of life without her love unbearable. The depth and power of his emotions when he finally confronts his wife about whether she loves him anymore is conveyed perfectly by the two principal actors. Their embrace near the end of the film is one of true passion, and is a hugely emotional and perfectly played scene.
This is not Saturday night at the movies stuff, but what do you expect from Mike Leigh? Instead, this is a brilliant and moving character study, with absolutely first class acting throughout, especially from the two lead characters played by Timothy Spall and Lesley Manville. The look (and sound) of the film is fittingly sober, plain and sensitive. The story plays out in a run-down estate in South East London (Greenwich apparently), but could be set anywhere really.
The excellent commentary from Mike Leigh himself is a real treat, and is worthy of a listen, especially if you're interested in the art of filmmaking. Leigh (as usual) takes great delight and obvious pride in describing various aspects about the movie, from the outstanding cast, to the variety of other talented people who put this film together.
I can't see myself watching this film too many times, as like I say, it's not exactly a feel-good movie. Building up slowly, and finishing relatively abruptly, this movie takes a bit of patience and is pretty emotionally draining to watch as well. But it is worth a repeat viewing or two simply to revel in the brilliance of the acting talent on show here. There are very few laughs in this movie... it even makes 'Secrets and Lies' look like a laugh-riot in comparison, but ultimately this film has hope and reconcilliation as it's take home messages, and as such is a fairly uplifting film despite being desperately sad in places.
This film may not impress the Jonathon Ross's of this world, but it sure as hell impressed me (and the judges at the Cannes Film Festival who nominated it for the Palme D'Or in 2002)... but don't take my word for it (or Jonathon Ross's).. watch, learn, and be moved.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Life is Sweet, Secrets & Lies, Naked - I mention these particular films of Leigh because they are all brilliantly contemporary in their own way -films with real heart, guts and soul. But All Or Nothing doesn't rank among these - it doesn't even come close.
There is no or little plot and maybe that's the point - just an impressonistic view of lonely and desperate lives. But what I felt this mostly suffered from a lack of real characters. Instead the film presented one-dimensional - and frankly annoying types. Lesley Manville (a great actress) was mostly winsome and whiny and Timothy Spall (like Manville, generally always excellent) was detached and eternally self-pitying. And the younger characters - except heart-of-gold cleaner Rachel, a performance of great subtlety by Alison Garland - were even worse, angry teenage stereotypes. And all deliver cliched stilted dialogue, the worst I've heard in a Mike Leigh film. This is a shame because the big emotional climax - that Mike Leigh stalwart - doesn't pack the punch it should. Most of all, All Or Nothing lacks purpose - and because of this, it almost feels like a Mike Leigh film by numbers. Watching this, I felt distanced - none of it felt realistic and all the swearing (that is supposed to represent "real dialogue"), anger and shouting made little difference. Bleak? Tedious, more like.
Watch Nil By Mouth to see how London working class depseration should be done, a film that feels like it really has something to say. Strong characters, brilliant performances, kick in the gut scenes and in the end genuine heart.
There is no or little plot and maybe that's the point - just an impressonistic view of lonely and desperate lives. But what I felt this mostly suffered from a lack of real characters. Instead the film presented one-dimensional - and frankly annoying types. Lesley Manville (a great actress) was mostly winsome and whiny and Timothy Spall (like Manville, generally always excellent) was detached and eternally self-pitying. And the younger characters - except heart-of-gold cleaner Rachel, a performance of great subtlety by Alison Garland - were even worse, angry teenage stereotypes. And all deliver cliched stilted dialogue, the worst I've heard in a Mike Leigh film. This is a shame because the big emotional climax - that Mike Leigh stalwart - doesn't pack the punch it should. Most of all, All Or Nothing lacks purpose - and because of this, it almost feels like a Mike Leigh film by numbers. Watching this, I felt distanced - none of it felt realistic and all the swearing (that is supposed to represent "real dialogue"), anger and shouting made little difference. Bleak? Tedious, more like.
Watch Nil By Mouth to see how London working class depseration should be done, a film that feels like it really has something to say. Strong characters, brilliant performances, kick in the gut scenes and in the end genuine heart.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I am a big fan of Mike Leigh films. All or Nothing really makes you think there is always someone else worse off. It is based on a depressing council estate with some wonderful true to life characters. The acting is superb and having seen the special features I have even more admiration as they didn't work off a script - it was improvised!
Although I wouldn't rate it as high as Mike Keigh's previous film 'Secret & Lies, it is still one to watch.
Although I wouldn't rate it as high as Mike Keigh's previous film 'Secret & Lies, it is still one to watch.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Incredible
A must-watch for any Mike Leigh fan. Stunning performances and a gripping narrative. Compelling and beautiful. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Ryan Stanley
All Or Nothing Mike Leigh
All Or Nothing is an excellent film, Mike Leigh is a wonderful writer, the actors are very well cast as always with any Mike Leigh dramas, but Timothy Spall well, he is something... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mrs K athleen Heath
Unbelievably depressingly good
This is Mike Leigh's darkest, most overwhelmingly life-crushing piece. I have to disagree with another reviewer's comment that you should watch this if you want to feel better... Read more
Published on 17 Feb 2010 by 221b
All Or Nothing
One of the best films I have watched,directed by one
of the best,if not the best,of British directors.
Superb acting.
of the best,if not the best,of British directors.
Superb acting.
Published on 14 May 2009 by Mr. A. L. Marney
TOO much 'Mike Leigh'
Sorry, but much as i bow down to the masterpieces that are 'Secrets and Lies's and 'Naked', this is a 'Mike Leigh' too far... Read more
Published on 30 Nov 2008 by Mr. David L. Gill
More bleak moments from Mike Leigh.
Mike Leigh can always be counted on when it comes to presenting truthful, emotional and compelling British cinema. Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2008 by Jonathan James Romley
Nothing at all
I watched this film -ALL of it....waited for something to happen.NOTHING happened,just a meander through misery on a depressing coucil estate populated by disfunctional... Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2007 by Cara Moretta
So depressing its brilliant
I love Mike Leigh, the more depressing he is the better the film. This one is great, best watched when you want to feel good about your own life and hope that it never gets this... Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2006
Unexpected but beautiful.
I have just finshed watching this film on tv and was very shocked at how engrosing the story was. Basicly it's about a family who live on a rough estate trying to cope with there... Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2005 by "bendelljuile"
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