Not just due to the presence of Brenda Blethyn in a supporting role, this film is very reminiscent of Mike Leigh's work. A family drawn together by some random event leads to intense discomfort on the part of the viewer, as ever increasing numbers of skeletons come out of the closet, made worse by poor (if not non-existent) communication.
Fabulously observed, there is some wonderful characterisation in this film, and some wonderful performances, not to mention a great unexpected cameo scene with Ben Affleck and Jamie Lee Curtis.
This film strives (albeit it fictionally), with Big Brother or Jerry Springer levels of voyeurism, to lay bare the trailer trash lifestyle. Painful to watch and yet intensely funny at times, again like Mike Leigh there is no hint before the very end as to whether it will be a sad or a happy ending.
Fabulously observed, there is some wonderful characterisation in this film, and some wonderful performances, not to mention a great unexpected cameo scene with Ben Affleck and Jamie Lee Curtis.
This film strives (albeit it fictionally), with Big Brother or Jerry Springer levels of voyeurism, to lay bare the trailer trash lifestyle. Painful to watch and yet intensely funny at times, again like Mike Leigh there is no hint before the very end as to whether it will be a sad or a happy ending.