Bleak Moments (1972)
Directed by Mike Leigh
Genres - Drama |
Sub-Genres - Ensemble Film, Melodrama, Romantic Drama |
Run Time - 110 min. |
Countries - United Kingdom |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Mark Deming
Mike Leigh began his career as one of Britain's most interesting directors with this realistic drama about a woman looking for respite from an unsatisfying life. Sylvia (Anne Raitt) is a slightly overweight woman who works as a secretary and hasn't had much luck in romance. She shares her home with her retarded sister, whom she looks after, and has been dating Peter (Eric Allen), a schoolteacher whom she hopes will ask her to marry him. However, one evening they have a date that doesn't go especially well, and Sylvia discovers that Peter is impotent; he breaks up with her shortly afterward. The only other interesting relationship in her life is with Norman (Mike Bradwell), a hippie who rents out Sylvia's garage as a workspace for his underground newspaper and plays songs on his guitar for her sister. Bleak Moments was adapted from a play written by Leigh; as is his habit, the story was created in collaboration with the actors who originated the roles.
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Keywords
dysfunctional, sexual, apathy, bachelorette, dating, diner, dream, guitar, kiss, life, love, marriage, office-worker, overweight, restaurant, revelation, schoolteacher, sister, songwriter