ON THE SILVER SCREEN: SEEING "ANOTHER YEAR" IS TIME WELL-SPENT

By Brian Lafferty

January 15, 2011 (San Diego) – Another Year is about how people move in and out of our lives, such as how my two sisters and their families from out of town visit once or twice a year. With each visit, I see they have made all sorts of progress in their lives. They have kids, the kids grow up, and each year everyone gets a little smarter and wiser.    

The whole movie is like that. Centering on a middle-aged couple (Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen), this newest film by Mike Leigh depicts one full year of their lives. Relatives come and go. Loved ones pass away. By the end of the picture I felt like I really got to know not only this couple but also their family and friends.

 
The term “slice-of-life” has been used to describe many films but rarely has it been as true a term as in this case. The best way to approach this movie is to think of the couple’s years together as a pie. Each slice represents one year of their marriage. Take one slice and you’ll see one year of their union.

 
This particular slice isn’t very special but ironically that trait is what makes Another Year special. Everything about the film is ordinary, especially the characters, and that is the movie’s ultimate strength. It also allowed me to feel close to these people. At times I even felt like a part of their circle of friends, having the privilege of listening to their conversations.

The characters I tend to remember most are those that feel as close as possible to being real people. That is another big asset as well as one of Another Year’s most important. As a result, the movie’s realistic atmosphere and approach effortlessly conveys its two major themes: the passage of time and of the people in their lives.

Some characters start out unhappy and lonely. Some will acquire a girlfriend. Some will remain mired in misery. Friends are made, people develop feelings for each other, some characters make positive progress in their lives while others suffer numerous setbacks. A lot can happen in a year and this movie knows it. Mike Leigh chronicles well the ups and downs in these people’s lives.

Mike Leigh and cinematographer Dick Pope enhance and lend credibility to these themes by subtly manipulating color, light, and weather. In Spring, it constantly rains and the skies are overcast. Summertime is very bright, with plenty of sun and clear skies. The winter features overcast skies and lots of blue colors. These illustrate the somber tone and subplot in this segment, revolving around the death and funeral of a relative.

Another Year is not your typical film. Those with short attention spans will be challenged if they approach it from a plot standpoint. This is the wrong way to go about watching it. The movie is not about plot but about characters. It’s important to know that before you decide to spend a year (two hours, actually) with these wonderful, compelling characters.

Another Year is currently playing at Landmark’s La Jolla Village Cinemas.

Brian Lafferty can be contacted at brian@eastcountymagazine.org. You can also follow him on Twitter: @BrianLaff.