This film is part of Rentals

High Hopes
Mike Leigh’s bittersweet comedy tells the story of Cyril (Philip Davis), an idealist who despairs at the societal changes of Thatcher’s Britain.
Drama 1988 112 mins
Director: Mike Leigh
Overview
Mike Leigh’s bittersweet comedy is both one of the writer-director’s key works and also an illuminating time-capsule of 1980s Britain. Cyril (Philip Davis) is an idealistic, old-school socialist who despairs at the changing and divided London he sees as a product of Thatcher’s Britain, manifested in the form of his newly monied neighbours who’ve bought up the old council house next door.
His partner Shirley (Ruth Sheen), though, just wants him to stop worrying about the world and start a family.

Related
Drama

Playground [Un Monde] Playground [Un Monde]
Drama 2021 72 mins Director: Laura Wandel
The harsh world of playground politics is seen through the eyes of a seven-year-old girl in a gripping debut from Belgian writer-director Laura Wandel.

Luzzu Luzzu
Drama 2021 95 mins Director: Alex Camilleri
Writer-director Alex Camilleri’s powerful neorealist drama is a rare home-grown Maltese production.

Moon, 66 Questions Moon, 66 Questions
Drama 2021 109 mins Director: Jacqueline Lentzou
A highly anticipated debut feature from Jacqueline Lentzou about the glacial relationship between a father and his daughter.

Between Two Worlds [Ouistreham] Between Two Worlds [Ouistreham]
Drama 2021 106 mins Director: Emmanuel Carrère
Juliette Binoche plays an undercover reporter investigating the conditions faced by France’s working women in this insightful, involving drama.

Benediction Benediction
Drama 2020 137 mins Director: Terence Davies
Terence Davies’ moving and lyrical portrait of the life of celebrated war poet Siegfried Sassoon.

Leave No Traces Leave No Traces
Drama 2021 160 mins Director: Jan P. Matuszynski
After the brutal killing of a student by Polish militia in 1983, the State cracks down on the sole witness and attempts a cover-up at the highest level.
Mike Leigh

Meantime Meantime
Drama 1983 107 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Tim Roth, Phil Daniels and Gary Oldman star in Mike Leigh’s TV film about an East End family try to stay afloat during a recession.

Vera Drake Vera Drake
Drama 2004 120 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Mike Leigh’s acclaimed story of a selfless woman who performs unlawful abortions in 1950s Britain; both an affecting drama and vital social history.

Life is Sweet Life is Sweet
Drama 1990 103 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Mike Leigh’s hilarious yet tragic domestic portrait features a dazzling ensemble performance and remains a potent, true-to-life story, and one of the celebrated director’s most admired and affecting films.

A Running Jump A Running Jump
Comedy 2010 36 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Mike Leigh's sports-infused comedy short starring Eddie Marsan, produced as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

Naked Naked
Drama 1993 131 mins Director: Mike Leigh
David Thewlis gives an outstanding performance as a morally questionable force-of-nature.

Bleak Moments Bleak Moments
Drama 1971 111 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Sylvia (Anne Raitt) leads a quiet life caring for her sister Hilda (Sarah Stephenson) who has complex care needs in Mike Leigh's deeply affecting debut feature film.
Featuring Philip Davis

Vera Drake Vera Drake
Drama 2004 120 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Mike Leigh’s acclaimed story of a selfless woman who performs unlawful abortions in 1950s Britain; both an affecting drama and vital social history.

Comrades Comrades
Historical drama 1987 182 mins Director: Bill Douglas
Bill Douglas' epic story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, six Dorset labourers deported to Australia in the 1830s for forming a trade union.
Featuring Ruth Sheen

Vera Drake Vera Drake
Drama 2004 120 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Mike Leigh’s acclaimed story of a selfless woman who performs unlawful abortions in 1950s Britain; both an affecting drama and vital social history.
Directed by Mike Leigh

Bleak Moments Bleak Moments
Drama 1971 111 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Sylvia (Anne Raitt) leads a quiet life caring for her sister Hilda (Sarah Stephenson) who has complex care needs in Mike Leigh's deeply affecting debut feature film.

Naked Naked
Drama 1993 131 mins Director: Mike Leigh
David Thewlis gives an outstanding performance as a morally questionable force-of-nature.

Vera Drake Vera Drake
Drama 2004 120 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Mike Leigh’s acclaimed story of a selfless woman who performs unlawful abortions in 1950s Britain; both an affecting drama and vital social history.

A Running Jump A Running Jump
Comedy 2010 36 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Mike Leigh's sports-infused comedy short starring Eddie Marsan, produced as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

Life is Sweet Life is Sweet
Drama 1990 103 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Mike Leigh’s hilarious yet tragic domestic portrait features a dazzling ensemble performance and remains a potent, true-to-life story, and one of the celebrated director’s most admired and affecting films.

Meantime Meantime
Drama 1983 107 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Tim Roth, Phil Daniels and Gary Oldman star in Mike Leigh’s TV film about an East End family try to stay afloat during a recession.
New

Playground [Un Monde] Playground [Un Monde]
Drama 2021 72 mins Director: Laura Wandel
The harsh world of playground politics is seen through the eyes of a seven-year-old girl in a gripping debut from Belgian writer-director Laura Wandel.

Luzzu Luzzu
Drama 2021 95 mins Director: Alex Camilleri
Writer-director Alex Camilleri’s powerful neorealist drama is a rare home-grown Maltese production.

Boys on Film 22: Love to Love You Boys on Film 22: Love to Love You
Anthology 2022 144 mins Director: Oliver Mason
The latest in Peccadillo’s critically acclaimed series features a fresh and exciting selection of the very best contemporary gay short films.

Moon, 66 Questions Moon, 66 Questions
Drama 2021 109 mins Director: Jacqueline Lentzou
A highly anticipated debut feature from Jacqueline Lentzou about the glacial relationship between a father and his daughter.

Between Two Worlds [Ouistreham] Between Two Worlds [Ouistreham]
Drama 2021 106 mins Director: Emmanuel Carrère
Juliette Binoche plays an undercover reporter investigating the conditions faced by France’s working women in this insightful, involving drama.

Benediction Benediction
Drama 2020 137 mins Director: Terence Davies
Terence Davies’ moving and lyrical portrait of the life of celebrated war poet Siegfried Sassoon.