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.
Contains strong languageRelated
Drama
Viceroy's House
Drama 2016 106 mins Director: Gurinder Chadha
Gurinder Chadha channels David Lean for this sweeping romance set during the last days of the Raj, with Hugh Bonneville and Gillian Anderson as Lord and Lady Mountbatten.
Sunburn
Romance 2018 92 mins Director: Vicente Alves Do Ó
The simmering sexual tensions of a group of old friends come to the boil in this sizzling psychological drama, which playfully evokes the spirit of François Ozon.
Heat and Dust
Drama 1983 130 mins Director: James Ivory
Julie Christie and Greta Scacchi star in this sensual and evocative Merchant Ivory classic, adapted by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala from her Booker Prize-winning novel.
The Caretaker
Drama 1963 105 mins Director: Clive Donner
Clive Donner directs this classic adaptation of the Harold Pinter play, with Alan Bates, Donald Pleasence and Robert Shaw.
Rafiki
Drama 2018 83 mins Director: Wanuri Kahiu
Romantic sparks fly between the daughters of two opposing politicians in Wanuri Kahiu’s neon-bright story of forbidden love in Kenya.
Lizzie
Crime 2017 105 mins Director: Craig William Macneill
Chloë Sevigny and Kristen Stewart captivate in this bodice-ripping retelling of the strange and fascinating case of Lizzie Borden.
Working Class Heroes
Poor Cow
Drama 1967 101 mins Director: Ken Loach
Ken Loach’s perceptive, personal, and moving debut feature film tells the story of a young mother’s struggles while her husband is in jail.
Hummingbird
Thriller 2012 100 mins Director: Steve Knight
An alcoholic ex-special forces soldier (Jason Statham), down on his luck, assumes another man’s identity and pursues redemption.
East Is East
Comedy 1999 97 mins Director: Damien O'Donnell
Damien O'Donnell's charming comedy-drama about Zaheed Khan (Om Puri), the patriarch of a Pakistani-British family whose children begin to reject their heritage and embrace UK life.
Orthodox
Drama 2016 94 mins Director: David Leon
Stephen Graham is the orthodox Jew tempted into a life of violence by his corrupt associate (Michael Smiley), in this riveting and complex crime drama.
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.
Made in Britain
Drama 1982 76 mins Director: Alan Clarke
Tim Roth burst onto British screens with his coruscating performance as a teenage skinhead in this TV play from Alan Clarke and David Leland.
Featuring Philip Davis
Quadrophenia
Drama 1979 120 mins Director: Franc Roddam
The ultimate Mods vs Rockers clash, based on The Who’s double-album rock opera, stars Phil Daniels as a mod on an odyssey to Brighton.
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.
Featuring Ruth Sheen
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.
Another Year
Drama 2010 124 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Mike Leigh's drama about contented couple (Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen) who play host to various friends, each struggling to find happiness.
Directed by Mike Leigh
Peterloo
Drama 2017 154 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Mike Leigh orchestrates a superb ensemble cast in this rousing tale of working class uprising and its violent suppression in Manchester in 1819.
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.
Topsy-Turvy
Drama 1999 152 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Mike Leigh forays into period drama for this story of Gilbert and Sullivan and their risky production of The Mikado.
Happy-Go-lucky
Comedy 2007 118 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Sally Hawkins shines in her breakout role as the perpetually sunny Poppy, in Mike Leigh’s charming drama about the power of optimism.
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.
Another Year
Drama 2010 124 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Mike Leigh's drama about contented couple (Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen) who play host to various friends, each struggling to find happiness.
New
Viceroy's House
Drama 2016 106 mins Director: Gurinder Chadha
Gurinder Chadha channels David Lean for this sweeping romance set during the last days of the Raj, with Hugh Bonneville and Gillian Anderson as Lord and Lady Mountbatten.
Sunburn
Romance 2018 92 mins Director: Vicente Alves Do Ó
The simmering sexual tensions of a group of old friends come to the boil in this sizzling psychological drama, which playfully evokes the spirit of François Ozon.
Sorry to Bother You
Comedy 2018 111 mins Director: Boots Riley
A mild-mannered call centre operator whizzes up the corporate ladder after he discovers a unique ability to adopt a "white voice" in writer-director Boots Riley's breathlessly inventive satire.
Heat and Dust
Drama 1983 130 mins Director: James Ivory
Julie Christie and Greta Scacchi star in this sensual and evocative Merchant Ivory classic, adapted by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala from her Booker Prize-winning novel.
The Caretaker
Drama 1963 105 mins Director: Clive Donner
Clive Donner directs this classic adaptation of the Harold Pinter play, with Alan Bates, Donald Pleasence and Robert Shaw.
Shakespeare Wallah
Romance 1965 122 mins Director: James Ivory
When a young British actress from a touring troupe falls in love with an Indian playboy, the star-crossed lovers must overcome cultural differences and the scheming of a fierce rival.