Joey Magidson
Up until now, I’ve sadly gotten very little out of Mike Leigh movies. I always appreciate the performances and craftsmanship within, but the acclaim almost every other has bestowed upon him over the years has largely been lost on me. Until now, that is. Tender Loving Care, which might be Leigh’s final work (due to health issues), is a gentle and humorous, yet quietly devastating look at how we do and don’t take care of each other. World Premiering here at the Telluride Film Festival, it blew me away.
Tender Loving Care feels like a summation of the themes Leigh has explored throughout his career. Family dynamics abound here, as well as personal relationships, alongside the decay of England’s social safety net. This flick has some of his most powerful moments sprinkled in, as well as a surprising amount of laughs. Whether this is a comedy with dramatic parts that obliterate you or a drama with more than its fair share of humor as a respite, it all just works. Anchored by some wonderful performances, if Leigh has closed his filmmaking book, he’s going out with a bang.
Social workers Amy (Kate O’Flynn) and Rosie (Alice Bailey Johnson) have been best friends since childhood. After a breakup, Amy has moved in with Rosie, and when they’re not fighting against the underfunded nature of government services in the UK, they’re having a laugh at home. They’re overworked, less than appreciated, and worried they’re not helping a lick. They also compartmentalize so that when they’re home, it’s wine, talk of dating, and as much fun as possible, lest they give in to despair.
We also spend time with Amy’s parents Birdie (Marion Bailey) and Geoff (Paul Jesson), a lovely old couple who have made a nice life for themselves. They fret over Amy, hope she’s happy, and are worried for her when she announces that she’s single again, yet glad to be rid of her ex. Amy visits often, sometimes bringing Rosie, leading to the foursome having many a laugh. For a time, we just observe these individuals, living their lives. Then, Geoff begins to show signs of decline.
Kate O’Flynn gives a revelatory breakthrough performance here, though the quartet are all excellent. O’Flynn mixes a wonderful sense of humor and kind heart with a pain in her eyes that she tries to hold back. You can see how close she is to breaking and it’s absolutely tragic. O’Flynn blew me away. Alice Bailey Johnson is doing what’s almost comic relief, but she’s so fun and likable that she’s a pleasure to watch. Paul Jesson will break your heart, especially in the third act, while Marion Bailey is wonderful as a concerned mother and loving wife who sees her happy life suddenly begin to quietly crumble. Bailey and Jesson have the chemistry of a longtime couple, while Johnson and O’Flynn feel like lifelong friends. Supporting players here include Amanda Lawrence, Tilly Vosburgh, Peter Wight, Alan Williams, and more.
Filmmaker Mike Leigh crafts his work unconventionally, essentially rehearsing with his cast until the plot gets fleshed out, then making a screenplay. For years, it never really worked for me, but it sure does here. The laughs feel genuine, the pain feels real, and the final shot obliterated me. This is expert and lived in direction. The anger Leigh has at the crumbling social safety net is palpable.
For years, a Leigh flick was almost an automatic Best Original Screenplay nominee at the Academy Awards. That could certainly be the case again, though Leigh’s farewell could also lead to potential attention in Best Picture and Best Director. If so, watch out for Marion Bailey and Kate O’Flynn as well, depending on category placement. Leigh will obviously be the Oscar focus, but this one has the goods in multiple spots.
Tender Loving Care is an urge for compassion, which we need more than ever these days. Telluride has long been a home for Mike Leigh, so premiering here in the mountains made all the sense in the world. This is a huge surprise for me, in terms of how strongly I responded to it. Open up your heart and I suspect this will wreck you too.
SCORE: ★★★1/2
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