Meantime

1983 ""

Meantime

7.2 | 1h47m | en | Drama

A working-class family in London's East End is struggling to stay afloat during the recession under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's premiership. Only the mother Mavis is working; father Frank and the couple's two sons Colin, a timid, chronically shy individual and Mark, an outspoken, headstrong young man, are on the dole. This situation is contrasted by the presence of Mavis's sister Barbara, and her husband John, whose financial and social loftiness appears to be a comfortable facade over the unspoken soreness of a lackluster marriage.

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7.2 | 1h47m | en | Drama , Comedy , TV Movie | More Info

Released: October. 16,1983 | Released Producted By: Film4 Productions , Central Productions Country: United Kingdom Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website:

Synopsis

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Cast

Phil Daniels , Tim Roth , Pam Ferris

Director

Roger Pratt

Producted By

Film4 Productions , Central Productions

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Trailers & Images

Cast

Phil Daniels

as Mark

Adult Material The Hatton Garden Job Moonfleet Vinyl The Clocks Freebird Free Jimmy Outlaws (UK) The Long Firm

Tim Roth

as Colin

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law There Are No Saints Resurrection Sundown The Misfits Bergman Island QT8: The First Eight The Song of Names Luce

Pam Ferris

as Mavis

Holmes & Watson: The Abandoned Case Beauty and the Beast: A Comic Relief Pantomime for Christmas Tolkien Holmes & Watson Ethel & Ernest Saving Santa Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger! The Raven Jackboots on Whitehall

Reviews

fran7204 This film is a snapshot of 1980s Britain where life was good for some and not so great for others and this film focuses on the latter. The Pollacks are adysfunctional family - 4 dysfunctional people living together in a confined space with no aspirations, money, jobs, escapism. We are with them for about an hour and a half and thats more than enough as you will feel suffocated by theiroppression - I was trying to find an excuse to get out of my bed and dosomething but I lost the will when this film swallowed me up and made me feel that there was nothing to get up for as it was so depressing.The boys in this family aren't really boys, they are old enough to be classed as 'men' but because of lack of money because of lack of work, they are still in the role of children, sharing a bedroom and living with mum and dad and they never leave the estate. Nothing goes on in this film,the characters have a really boring existence. We wait and wait for some revolutionary turning point for at least one of the characters but it never comes.

grantw Typically bleak Mike Leigh film set this time in London in the early 80's. Leigh has captured the whole sentiment of the period perfectly, with many props and locations dating back before even the 70's, just as you would expect to find in homes and pubs of the time. So, authenticity aside, what of the film? The story, such as there is, circles around the relationship between Mike, played by Phil Daniels, and his brother Colin (Tim Roth). Not a lot happens, which is again typical of this director, so it is in the depth of character where the artistry lies. It is worth watching alone for the small set pieces, such as Gary Oldman wearing 28 hole ox-blood DMs rolling around in an oversize bin because he has nothing better to do. Be prepared for a gritty slice of english life, and don't watch it late at night - you run the risk of being lulled to sleep by the constant piano soundtrack.

simonrosenbaum Having watched this now after his latest film "All or nothing", I'm struck on how similar they are to each other. You could say "Meantime" was a early version "All or Nothing". There's far less light and shade, the drama and dialogue are quite relentless in "Meantime", which makes watching far harder. Notable for debut performances by Tim Roth and Gary Oldman, they along with the rest of the cast portray their characters with amazing believability. This is a minor work compared to some of his early works and all of his later ones, but it's still a major accomplishment and deserves to be seen by those who appreciate challenging drama. (6/10)

A LAMP AND A BATTERY I wasn't expecting to enjoy the film but the amazing characters and acting pulls you in. I fell in love with Tim Roth. He was apsolutely adorable. Gary Oldman is also very stunning. I was stunned by his performance.