THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS: The best of Mike Leigh: Naked

Oct 1, 2009

The best of Mike Leigh: Naked

1. Naked
2. Life is Sweet
3. Meantime
5. Topsy Turvy
6. Secrets and Lies
7. Happy Go Lucky
8. Vera Drake
9. High Hopes
It's weird that I should go for Naked when Leigh is so good at ensembles. Maybe that's what makes David Thewliss's performance feel so utterly forsaken. Meantime is an underated gem with Gary Oldman and Tim Roth as wanabee skinheads. Secrets and Lies has slipped in my estimation, like a lot of masterpieces, but Topsy Turvy remains a genuine revelation. Leigh should do more period dramas. He's just the dose of vinegar the genre needs.

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