Hard Truths
First screened in October 2024 / Most recently screened in July 2025

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Director: Mike Leigh. Cast: Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Michele Austin, David Webber, Tuwaine Barrett, Ani Nelson, Sophia Brown, Jonathan Livingstone, Jo Martin, Llewella Gideon, Samantha Spiro, Syrus Lowe. Screenplay: Mike Leigh.

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In Brief: (Oct '24) Showcase for a high-wire performance at the knife-edge of uproarious and alienating blooms into a richer group study.

In Brief: (Jul '25) Second viewing raises more doubts, especially with script. Fuzzy details in Pansy's story; third act feels incomplete.

VOR: ③  The acting deserves to stand the test of time, as does the time capsule of era-specific day-to-day rage. Other aspects thinner or more familiar.

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Photo © 2024 Film4 / The MediaPro Studio / Bleecker Street Media

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B

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Awards:
	National Society of Film Critics: Best Actress (Jean-Baptiste); Best Supporting Actress (Austin)
	New York Film Critics Circle: Best Actress (Jean-Baptiste)
	Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Lead Performance (Jean-Baptiste)
	Chicago Film Critics Association: Best Actress (Jean-Baptiste)
	National Board of Review: Best Original Screenplay

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