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Meantime (1984) -- Open-ended Trailer from Fox Lorber

Overview

User Rating:
6.9/10   730 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Mike Leigh
Writer:
Mike Leigh (deviser)
Contact:
View company contact information for Meantime on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 July 1986 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Drama more
Plot:
An odd film, primarily looking at how the dole affects the underclass in Britain. Tim Roth stars as Colin... more | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win more
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Mood Swings By James Ponsoldt
 (From Filmmaker Magazine_Web Exclusives. 13 March 2009, 9:43 AM, PDT)

Tim Roth: The Hollywood Interview
 (From The Hollywood Interview. 6 March 2009, 12:30 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Mike Leigh's Best. more (16 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Marion Bailey ... Barbara

Phil Daniels ... Mark

Tim Roth ... Colin
Pam Ferris ... Mavis
Jeff Robert ... Frank

Alfred Molina ... John

Gary Oldman ... Coxy
Tilly Vosburgh ... Hayley
Paul Daly ... Rusty
Leila Bertrand ... Hayley's Friend
Hepburn Graham ... Boyfriend
Peter Wight ... Estate Manager
Eileen Davies ... Unemployment Benefit Clerk
Herbert Norville ... Man in Pub
Brian Hoskin ... Barman
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
90 min | USA:102 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Sound Mix:
Mono
Filming Locations:
England, UK

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
8 out of 10 people found the following comment useful.
Mike Leigh's Best., 16 August 2003
Author: phil6875-1 from U.K.

This is Mike Leigh's finest film. Next to this masterpiece his later feature films feel very contrived, it just flows beautifully. It's also very honest, the best depiction of the effects of unemployment I've ever seen on film. But of course as with all Mike Leigh's films it's all about the performances of the actors and they're all pitch perfect. I feel a bit sorry for Tim Roth, his first film role and without a doubt his greatest, how could he ever equal it, it was all downhill from here. A truly heartbreaking performance and if you're not moved by it then you have no empathetic feeling. I also particularly like the performances of Jeff Robert and Pam Ferris as the Mum and Dad. It's a tragedy that this film missed out on getting a theatrical release since it was a few months after it was finished that Channel 4 began shooting on 35mm with a view to feature film distribution. Because it's a 'TV' film it's unjustly ignored in comparison with Leigh's later films, but don't let that put you off, this is a masterpiece. The music is beautiful as well perfectly matching the mood of the film.

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Message Boards

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Great film CityRocker
Manipulative? am_buglet_82
widescreen? robhunter-1
muppet? snoopylover28
location phil-loughborough
A nice contrast ollie_clixby
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