mike leigh -
meantime - 1984
the films of mike leigh part one
meantime, mike leigh's tv film from 1984 focusing on a little over a dozen working class characters in london's east end.
thinking of mike leigh as being in a long tradition of great artists that use an ensemble of actors throughout their work (from william shakespeare to john ford), i wanted to watch each of his films with an eye for the actor's involvement with mr. leigh, and also the involvement of the cinematographers and composers. the key elements of mr. leigh's films for myself have always been the contributions of the actors, the way the films look, and the music that at once announces that you are watching a mike leigh film (the music heard in the beginning of naked while johnny drives to london). bringing these elements together is obviously his direction in the films, which includes him as one of the best.
the first time i saw a mike leigh film was my last year of high school in 1993. my father and i went to the local art house cinema in wilton new hampshire (wilton town hall theatre) to see the most recent of his films naked. it hit me like a ton of bricks.
i started seriously watching mr. leigh's work in film school a couple of years later. at the time, i was heavily obsessed with the work of john cassavetes. i was working at a movie theater in cambridge mass, and one of my coworkers was studying under ray carney. he said to me; if i was interested in how improvisation plays a major role cassavetes' work, i should spend some more time with mike leigh. i had only seen naked at that point, and quickly delved as deep as i could into the work. the improvisations that shape the scripts make these films so wonderful to watch and unique in film history. david thewlis' "johnny" in naked is the most appropriate example of the improvisational process between actors and director in mike leigh films, and the results of this process that make up the final film. yet leigh's entire oeuvre is full of such moments of wonder.
i must admit that i have never read a book on mike leigh (although i should), and these observations are based on my viewings. any errors i have made, i would be interested in knowing.
tim roth
his only film with mike leigh. another essential film with mr. roth from this time period is alan clarke's
made in britain from 1982
gary oldman
his only film with mike leigh. another essential film from the time period is alan clarke's
the firm from 1989
phil daniels
his only film with mike leigh. another alan clarke connection is the films
scum from 1977 and 1979 with mr. daniels. his actorshippe was quite heavy in
meantime
jeffrey robert
his only film with mike leigh, surprising as he has such a strong presence in the film
marion bailey, mike leigh's partner
other mike leigh films :
- all or nothing - 2002
- vera drake - 2004
- mr. turner - 2014, as mr. turner's lover sophia booth
pam ferris
her only mike leigh film. also notable in
childen of men as the midwife, and the
harry potter films as the nasty aunt marge
peter wight
other mike leigh films :
-
naked - 1993, as brian the "insecurity" guard
-
secrets & lies - 1996
- vera drake - 2004
-
another year - 2010, as the memorable drunken depressive friend ken
- mr. turner - 2014
alfred molina
his only mike leigh film. also notable from the time period is stephen frears' film
prick up your ears with gary oldman, from 1987
leila bertrand
her only mike leigh film. her part is quite minimal but leaves an impression
hepburn graham
his only mike leigh film, his minimal part also leaves quite an impression
tilly vosburgh
other mike leigh films :
- vera drake - 2004
eileen davies
other mike leigh films :
- vera drake - 2004
- another year - 2010
- mr. turner - 2014
cinematography - roger pratt
other mike leigh films :
-
bleak moments - 1971 as assistant camera-man
-
high hopes - 1988
-
the short & curlies - 1988
music - andrew dickson. composer for many of mike leigh's key films including
naked
other mike leigh films :
-
high hopes - 1988
-
naked - 1993, one of the best film scores ever!
-
secrets & lies - 1996
-
all or nothing - 2002
- vera drake - 2004
