The Films of Mike Leigh, in order of personal preference

Following the death of her adoptive parents, a successful young black optometrist establishes contact with her biological mother -- a lonely white factory worker living in poverty in East London.

An unemployed Mancunian vents his rage on unsuspecting strangers as he embarks on a nocturnal London odyssey.

Abortionist Vera Drake finds her beliefs and practices clash with the mores of 1950s Britain--a conflict that leads to tragedy for her family.

In a poor working class London home, Penny's love for her partner, taxi driver Phil, has run dry. When an unexpected tragedy occurs, they and their local community are brought back together.

Arguably the most famous edition of Play For Today, and one of the most beloved, as Mike Leigh directs a comedy of manners. Middle-class suburbia gets to reveal its darker side over the course of an increasingly uncomfortable drinks party.

The life of a working class couple living in London and their complicated relationships with other members of the family.

A look at four seasons in the lives of a happily married couple and their relationships with their family and friends.

When one brother gets a job from their wealthy aunt, the other becomes increasingly jealous.

A middle-class couple go camping in Dorset, but peace and quiet elude them.

Moments from the uncompromisingly bleak existence of a secretary, her intellectually disabled sister, aloof and uneasy teacher boyfriend, bizarre neighbor and irritating workmate.

A shop assistant, her cook husband, and their twin daughters go about their lives in a working-class London suburb.

The 23rd Earl of Leete shares brief moments of his life, the truth behind his family estate and his particular glorious moment when he murdered his wife and his brother.

Dick and Mandy, a young working class couple, move into a council house in Canterbury, and find Mr. Butcher, one of their former teachers, living next door. Mandy's unmarried sister, Gloria, is constantly dropping in, and will not take any hints that the couple would prefer to be left alone, until her presence finally goads them to action.

A look at a few chapters in the life of Poppy, a cheery, colorful, North London schoolteacher whose optimism tends to exasperate those around her.

Two young women reunite and rekindle their friendship after having said goodbye at their college graduation six years earlier.

Three postal workers and their dysfunctional families interact over cups of tea and Sunday dinner.

Set in the 1880s, chronicles how during a creative dry spell, the partnership of the legendary musical/theatrical writers Gilbert and Sullivan almost dissolves, before they turn it all around and write the Mikado.

J.M.W. Turner, an unconventional British painter, goes down memory lane and recalls his romantic relationship with a seaside landlady and the various accolades he received for his works of art.

Trevor is an extremely shy undertaker's assistant. He always tags along with his good friend Ronnie, when he goes to the pub with his girlfriend Sandra. Sandra introduces Trevor to her more forward friend Linda. Linda has a difficult time getting Trevor to go out with her, but she finally gets him to go to a disco; he won't dance, so Linda dances with Ronnie.

During an evening spent at his house with his sister, a girl realizes that she doesn't really have much in common with her boyfriend.

A quiet and put-upon house cleaner breaks her silence.

A window cleaner fancies a sausage roll, but all is not well in the sausage roll factory.

Slice-of-life look at class divisions among employees at a brokerage house.

Members of a family live frantic lives of Olympian proportion.

A short comedy by Mike Leigh about the romance between a young woman and a man who communicates only through jokes and humor. The story is told as a series of very short vignettes between her and the man and her and her doting mother, a hairdresser.