Hard Truths is a 2024 drama film written and directed by Mike Leigh, starring Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who had previously collaborated with Leigh in Secrets & Lies, Michele Austin, and David Webber. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2024, and will be released in the United Kingdom in January 2025.[2] Hard Truths will be theatrically released in the United States on 6 December 2024 by Bleecker Street.[3][4]
| Hard Truths | |
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 U.S. theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Mike Leigh |
| Written by | Mike Leigh |
| Produced by | Georgina Lowe |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Dick Pope |
| Edited by | Tania Reddin |
| Music by | Gary Yershon |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 97 minutes[1] |
| Countries |
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| Language | English |
Plot
editSet in London, the plot follows the plight of depressed middle-aged woman Pansy and her relationship with her close ones, including the crumbling relationship with her jovial sister Chantelle, who is a polar opposite in terms of mood and the state of her other interpersonal relationships.[5][6]
Cast
edit- Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Pansy Deacon
- Michele Austin as Chantelle
- David Webber as Curtley Deacon
- Tuwaine Barrett as Moses Deacon
- Ani Nelson as Kayla
- Sophia Brown as Aleisha
- Jonathan Livingstone as Virgil
Production
editIn February 2020, it was reported that Mike Leigh would begin shooting his latest film in the summer.[7] After a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was announced in February 2023 that the film would go into production that year.[8] In February 2024, it was reported that the film would star Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Michele Austin.[9][10]
Release
editHard Truths premiered in the Special Presentations section of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2024.[3] It also screened at the 72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival and the 2024 New York Film Festival.[11][12] The film had its United Kingdom premiere at the London Film Festival on 14 October 2024.[2] In the United Kingdom, StudioCanal will release the film in January 2025.[2] In Spain, BTeam Pictures will release the film on 28 February 2025.[13] In the United States, Bleecker Street will give the film a limited theatrical release in New York on 6 December 2024 followed by a nationwide release on 10 January 2025.[4] The film was rejected by Cannes and Venice, where Leigh had in previous years taken the top prize (the Palme d'Or and the Golden Lion, respectively), in addition to the Telluride Film Festival.[14]
Reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 98% of 48 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8/10.[15] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 87 out of 100, based on 17 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[16]
Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian rated the film four out of five stars, describing it as "a deeply sober, sombre, compassionate drama about a black British family".[5]
Accolades
edit| Award | Ceremony date | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Sebastián International Film Festival | 28 September 2024 | Golden Seashell | Hard Truths | Nominated | [17] |
| Denver Film Festival | 10 November 2024 | Excellence in Acting Award | Marianne Jean-Baptiste | Won | [18] |
| Gotham Awards | 2 December 2024 | Outstanding Lead Performance | Pending | [19] | |
| Best International Feature | Mike Leigh, Georgina Lowe | Pending | |||
| British Independent Film Awards | 8 December 2024 | Best Lead Performance | Marianne Jean-Baptiste | Pending | [20] |
| Best Supporting Performance | Michele Austin | Pending |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Hard Truths (12A)". Irish Film Classification Office. April 2, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Hard Truths: Mike Leigh and Marianne Jean-Baptiste reunite for 'dazzling' film". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (22 July 2024). "TIFF Galas & Special Presentations Lineup Includes World Premieres From Angelina Jolie, Mike Leigh, Gia Coppola; Starry Pics With Jennifer Lopez, Lily James, Dave Bautista; Int'l Premieres 'Conclave' & 'Piece By Piece', More". Deadline. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ a b Murphy, Chris (22 August 2024). ""It's a Terrifying and Freeing Way To Work": Marianne Jean-Baptiste on Making Mike Leigh's 'Hard Truths'". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ a b Bradshaw, Peter (7 September 2024). "Hard Truths review – a Mike Leigh classic of day-to-day disillusionment and courage". The Guardian.
- ^ Josh, Slater-Williams (21 October 2024). ""People should have freedom to make the films they want to make": Mike Leigh on rejection and the challenges for young filmmakers – LFF Screen Talk". British Film Institute.
- ^ Brew, Simon (18 February 2020). "Mike Leigh's new film to shoot this summer". Film Stories.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (15 February 2023). "Mike Leigh to Start Shooting Secretive New Project This Year (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (14 February 2024). "Mike Leigh Reteams With Marianne Jean-Baptiste On Latest Feature 'Hard Truths,' First Look Revealed". Deadline.
- ^ Welk, Brian (14 February 2024). "Mike Leigh Reunites with Marianne Jean-Baptiste in First Look at Director's New Film 'Hard Truths'". IndieWire. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ Roxborough, Scott (30 July 2024). "San Sebastian Competition Sets New Films From Mike Leigh, Edward Berger, Joshua Oppenheimer". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ "Hard Truths". Film at Lincoln Center. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ "Mi única familia (Hard Truths)". BTeam Pictures. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ Coyle, Jake (9 September 2024). "Mike Leigh on Hard Truths and his moviemaking struggles". Associated Press. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
- ^ "Hard Truths". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ "Hard Truths". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ Taylor, Nick. "San Sebastián Announces Their Competition Slate!". The Film Experience. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ "Denver Film Festival 2024: New red-carpet venue, movies, and celebs for 47th year". The Denver Post. 2024-10-01. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- ^ "AwardsWatch - 2024 Gotham Awards: 'Anora,' 'Nickel Boys,' 'I Saw the TV Glow' Lead Nominations". AwardsWatch. 2024-10-29. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- ^ Szalai, Georg (2024-11-05). "British Independent Film Awards: 'Kneecap,' 'Love Lies Bleeding' Lead Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
External links
edit- Hard Truths at IMDb