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Hard Truths

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Hard Truths
U.S. theatrical release poster
Directed byMike Leigh
Written byMike Leigh
Produced byGeorgina Lowe
Starring
CinematographyDick Pope
Edited byTania Reddin
Music byGary Yershon
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • 6 September 2024 (2024-09-06) (TIFF)
  • January 2025 (2025-01) (United Kingdom)
  • 28 February 2025 (2025-02-28) (Spain)
Running time
97 minutes[1]
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • Spain
LanguageEnglish

Hard Truths is a 2024 drama film written and directed by Mike Leigh, starring Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who had previously collaborated with Leigh in Secrets & Lies, Michele Austin, and David Webber. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2024, and will be released in the United Kingdom in January 2025.[2] Hard Truths will be theatrically released in the United States on 6 December 2024 by Bleecker Street.[3][4]

Plot

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Set in London, the plot follows the plight of depressed middle-aged woman Pansy and her relationship with her close ones, including the crumbling relationship with her jovial sister Chantelle, who is a polar opposite in terms of mood and the state of her other interpersonal relationships.[5][6]

Cast

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Production

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In February 2020, it was reported that Mike Leigh would begin shooting his latest film in the summer.[7] After a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was announced in February 2023 that the film would go into production that year.[8] In February 2024, it was reported that the film would star Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Michele Austin.[9][10]

Release

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Hard Truths premiered in the Special Presentations section of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2024.[3] It also screened at the 72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival and the 2024 New York Film Festival.[11][12] The film had its United Kingdom premiere at the London Film Festival on 14 October 2024.[2] In the United Kingdom, StudioCanal will release the film in January 2025.[2] In Spain, BTeam Pictures will release the film on 28 February 2025.[13] In the United States, Bleecker Street will give the film a limited theatrical release in New York on 6 December 2024 followed by a nationwide release on 10 January 2025.[4] The film was rejected by Cannes and Venice, where Leigh had in previous years taken the top prize (the Palme d'Or and the Golden Lion, respectively), in addition to the Telluride Film Festival.[14]

Reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 98% of 48 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8/10.[15] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 87 out of 100, based on 17 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[16]

Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian rated the film four out of five stars, describing it as "a deeply sober, sombre, compassionate drama about a black British family".[5]

Accolades

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Award Ceremony date Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
San Sebastián International Film Festival 28 September 2024 Golden Seashell Hard Truths Nominated [17]
Denver Film Festival 10 November 2024 Excellence in Acting Award Marianne Jean-Baptiste Won [18]
Gotham Awards 2 December 2024 Outstanding Lead Performance Pending [19]
Best International Feature Mike Leigh, Georgina Lowe Pending
British Independent Film Awards 8 December 2024 Best Lead Performance Marianne Jean-Baptiste Pending [20]
Best Supporting Performance Michele Austin Pending
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards January 11, 2025 Best Actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste Pending [21]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Hard Truths (12A)". Irish Film Classification Office. April 2, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Hard Truths: Mike Leigh and Marianne Jean-Baptiste reunite for 'dazzling' film". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  3. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (22 July 2024). "TIFF Galas & Special Presentations Lineup Includes World Premieres From Angelina Jolie, Mike Leigh, Gia Coppola; Starry Pics With Jennifer Lopez, Lily James, Dave Bautista; Int'l Premieres 'Conclave' & 'Piece By Piece', More". Deadline. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b Murphy, Chris (22 August 2024). ""It's a Terrifying and Freeing Way To Work": Marianne Jean-Baptiste on Making Mike Leigh's 'Hard Truths'". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  5. ^ a b Bradshaw, Peter (7 September 2024). "Hard Truths review – a Mike Leigh classic of day-to-day disillusionment and courage". The Guardian.
  6. ^ Josh, Slater-Williams (21 October 2024). ""People should have freedom to make the films they want to make": Mike Leigh on rejection and the challenges for young filmmakers – LFF Screen Talk". British Film Institute.
  7. ^ Brew, Simon (18 February 2020). "Mike Leigh's new film to shoot this summer". Film Stories.
  8. ^ Ritman, Alex (15 February 2023). "Mike Leigh to Start Shooting Secretive New Project This Year (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  9. ^ Ntim, Zac (14 February 2024). "Mike Leigh Reteams With Marianne Jean-Baptiste On Latest Feature 'Hard Truths,' First Look Revealed". Deadline.
  10. ^ Welk, Brian (14 February 2024). "Mike Leigh Reunites with Marianne Jean-Baptiste in First Look at Director's New Film 'Hard Truths'". IndieWire. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  11. ^ Roxborough, Scott (30 July 2024). "San Sebastian Competition Sets New Films From Mike Leigh, Edward Berger, Joshua Oppenheimer". The Hollywood Reporter.
  12. ^ "Hard Truths". Film at Lincoln Center. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  13. ^ "Mi única familia (Hard Truths)". BTeam Pictures. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  14. ^ Coyle, Jake (9 September 2024). "Mike Leigh on Hard Truths and his moviemaking struggles". Associated Press. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  15. ^ "Hard Truths". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 21, 2024. Edit this at Wikidata
  16. ^ "Hard Truths". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  17. ^ Taylor, Nick. "San Sebastián Announces Their Competition Slate!". The Film Experience. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  18. ^ "Denver Film Festival 2024: New red-carpet venue, movies, and celebs for 47th year". The Denver Post. 2024-10-01. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  19. ^ "AwardsWatch - 2024 Gotham Awards: 'Anora,' 'Nickel Boys,' 'I Saw the TV Glow' Lead Nominations". AwardsWatch. 2024-10-29. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  20. ^ Szalai, Georg (2024-11-05). "British Independent Film Awards: 'Kneecap,' 'Love Lies Bleeding' Lead Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  21. ^ Lewis, Hilary (20 November 2024). "Movies for Grownups Awards: 'Conclave' Leads With 6 Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
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