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Nil by Mouth (1997)

Director: Gary Oldman

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From Time Out Film Guide

The actor Gary Oldman's debut as writer/director is so uncompromisingly honest, it makes other portraits of working-class life look like sour caricature or misplaced idealism. Oldman grew up in south east London, the setting for this tale of macho violence, drunkenness, drug addiction and petty crime, and very clearly knows what he's talking about. He's helped, of course, by stunning performances from his entire cast, most notably Winstone as the volatile but self-pitying Ray, given to beating up his long-suffering wife (Burke) and threatening her irresponsible junkie brother (Creed-Miles). There's no sermonising or romanticising here, just a sad, clear-eyed acknowledgement that domestic abuse and crime create a vicious circle from which many barely even try to escape. Shot and scripted in a deceptively casual, bleakly 'realist' style, it's the closest Britain has produced to a Cassavetes film, and as such, profoundly humane.

Author: GA 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

  • Anaru Bickford said...
    Posted on Sep 06 2007 23:46 This is my favourite movie. It is gritty but gives you a fly on the wall look at a family and its relationships more powerful than any other movie I know. Its brilliant.
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Cast & crew

Director: Gary Oldman

Producer: Luc Besson, Douglas Urbanski, Gary Oldman

Cast: Ray Winstone, Kathy Burke, Charlie Creed-Miles, Laila Morse, Edna Doré, Chrissie Cotterill, Jon Morrison, Jamie Forman full cast

Duration: 124 mins

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