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Life is sweet is the remarkable story of an unremarkable British family told in the classic tragi-comedy style that is uniquely Mike Leigh's. It covers issues of unemployment, anorexia, failure, nervous breakdown, and hope, as they affect one suburban London family and their friends and acquaintances. Leigh's sharply satirical and insentimentally compassionate view of life strikes a chord with audiences and critics alike. Life is Sweet brings together an impressive cast - including; Alison Steadman ('Let Them Eat Cake'), Jim Broadbent ('The Avengers'), Jane Horrocks ('Little Voice') and Timothy Spall ('Topsy Turvey'). Mike Leigh's recipes for feature films are deceptively simple and quite delicious. With a distinctively bittersweet flavour, the ups and downs of the family at the centre of this film unfold before our eyes without the need for cinematic 'heightening'. Mike Leigh is a director who knows full well that 'ordinary life' is, in itself, the greatest drama of all.

Wendy and Andy (Alison Steadman and Jim Broadbent) have twin daughters, Natalie and Nicola. Natalie (Claire Skinner) is a plumber, and Nicola (Jane Horrocks) is unemployed. Natalie is relaxed whereas Nicola is anorexic. Andy is persuaded by his friend Patsy to buy a mobile snack bar. Wendy works part time in a shop and takes kiddies' dancing class on Saturday mornings. When family friend, Aubrey (Timothy Spall), opens his own restaurant, Wendy steps in to help. Nicola's boyfriend (David Thewlis) visits her in secret during the day, and is tired of gratifying her sexual appetite without reward - he wants intelligent conversation, but Nicola cannot cope with this. As Nicola heads towards a breakdown and Andy is injured, Wendy proves to be a tower of strength. An comedic slice of life courtesy of writer/director Mike Leigh.

Director:

Mike Leigh [8],

Starring:

Jane Horrocks [22], David Thewlis [25], Alison Steadman [11], Jim Broadbent [39], Stephen Rea [32], Moya Brady [1], Claire Skinner [15],

Screen Formats:

Full Frame 1.33:1

Language and Sound:

English Dolby Digital Stereo

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