Director - Michael Winterbottom
Michael Nyman scored, Altmanesque London set drama in which we follow various people over the course of a weekend, through highs and lows, drama and comedy all filmed in a spectacularly low-budget but beautifully grainy way. A British cast to die for (Gina McKee, Shirley Henderson, Ian Hart, John Simm) all act their socks off as things fall apart around them. We’re all alone. A must see.
Director - David Wickes
Big screen debut of the superb British ‘70s police TV series. All the swagger that made the TV show so essential is present and correct with the added bonus of swearing and nudity. Barry Foster plays a corrupt American power broker out to influence an OPEC conference. Collin Welland is an angry journo who has caught whiff of what's going on, while Jack and George (John Thaw and Dennis Waterman) are left to try and figure out a string of murders that will eventually lead them to Foster's door. The whole cast look like they spent the time they're not on screen down the local, Thaw in particular. Wickes is a veteran from the show and directs the whole thing as an extended episode. If you love your gritty London '70s films then this is a must see.
Director - Joan Littlewood
The film that gave Babs Windsor her big break is this odd little London set drama. Maggie's (Windsor) husband Charlie (James Booth) returns home after a few years at sea to find that the London he left behind has changed almost beyond recognition. That’s not all that's changed while he's been away though, since Maggie has shacked up with a new bloke. The majority of the running time is given over to the cast trying to prevent Charlie from finding about Maggie's new situation. Cor blimey, luv-a-duck etc. This is good in a time capsule sort of way, but suffers from an uneven mix of bawdy comedy and kitchen sink style drama. Great cast including Roy Kinnear, Arthur Mullard and Murray Melvin make this well worth a look if you have any interest in '60s British films.
