Sharply written and insightful in its portrayal of men doing bits in lieu of a personality

I watched this on the Naked criterion, and am I just using this review to brag that I have the criterion, maybe. Nah, but in all seriousness, this was pretty fun. It is of course nothing mindblowing, just a simple short film, but it does have some great aspects. The cinematography and use of long takes were honestly great. I also really loved David Thewlis's performance and I think he did a great job at capturing such a quirky character. It was also pretty funny, but of course it was since UK humor is literally the best. My only issue was just how annoying the score was, but other than that, pretty fun.

David Thewlis is impossibly young-looking in this early short film from Mike Leigh, which traffics so well in the weird equilibrium between its two leads--Sylvestra Le Touzel as a sort of stoicly glum drugstore cashier and Thewlis as her almost terminally awkward young-would be beau--that when it becomes surprisingly (almost hauntingly) poignant late in its short running time (most scenes are a minute or two-it spans material that would be EASY to fill a much longer movie with) it hits like an unexpected bat to the head. Nice little bit of razzle-dazzle.

Watched with directors commentary

I don't have anything new to say that I didn't say in my prior review, but the director's commentary made me appreciate some new things, like the themes and production design. I'll probably watch Meantime soon as it is about time I watch another Mike Leigh film since I've only seen Naked and absolutely love that film.

It’s incredible how many memorable characters, plot threads, and clever bits of dialogue Mike Leigh shoves into this 18-minute film! The greatest attraction: a very young David Thewlis who plays a happy-go-lucky type that feels like if his Naked character had a sunnier disposition.

men who do bits as their personality: :(((

David Thewlis doing bits as his personality: :)))

6/10
David Thewlis good.

Added to:
Ranking: 2020, First Time Watches
Ranking: The Criterion Channel
Ranking: Coronavirus Quarantine

I watched a terrible copy of this but it was still pretty damn funny. Has Thewlis ever not been a great actor?

A light-hearted comedy about the contrasting interactions between social atypicals in the most peculiar scenarios with Thewlis as a versatile timid joker eliminating the boredom towards life of an apathic woman surrounded by peculiar characters. Leigh proves himself to be a master of interconnected relationships regardless of how unusual they may be and the result is of high rewatchability. There are people like this out there, for better or for worse, but Leigh's scope, for the meantime, is well-intentioned and optimistic and the final result is a great little charm.

82/100

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

“I’ll sing you a song that isn’t very long // in fact it ends right here—“

My first experience of Mike Leigh's magisterial style of direction. Must see more.

David Thewlis and Alison Steadman create the best fucking characters

"Two peanuts walking down the road. One of them was assaulted."
"Do you ever get constipated?"

Una comedia simpática y cringe sobre lo extraño que puede ser el coqueteo.

PS: David Thewlis puede hacer, literalmente, cualquier papel a la perfección.

Mike Leigh marathon, film 3

A solid short film

Thewlis’ guide to jokes and women

I love Mike Leigh, no one else can capture the essence of Englishness quite like him. David Thewlis looks about twelve and his character would probably be best mates with Gareth from The Office.

Watched with directors commentary

I don't have anything new to say that I didn't say in my prior review, but the director's commentary made me appreciate some new things, like the themes and production design. I'll probably watch Meantime soon as it is about time I watch another Mike Leigh film since I've only seen Naked and absolutely love that film.

I watched this on the Naked criterion, and am I just using this review to brag that I have the criterion, maybe. Nah, but in all seriousness, this was pretty fun. It is of course nothing mindblowing, just a simple short film, but it does have some great aspects. The cinematography and use of long takes were honestly great. I also really loved David Thewlis's performance and I think he did a great job at capturing such a quirky character. It was also pretty funny, but of course it was since UK humor is literally the best. My only issue was just how annoying the score was, but other than that, pretty fun.

⭐️DIALOGUE!⭐️

I wished it was longer. Fully realized characters in an 18 minute movie that needed a little more time to play out. Left me wanting more, but I guess that itself is a good thing. David Thewlis reminded me of at least 4 men I know, which has got to be a record or something.

Leigh displays heartfelt communication regardless of how bad we are at using spoken and physical language.