Hard Truths is the story of a family with a history of difficult relationships and increasing tensions. Set in a leafy part of London over several days, centre of the narrative is Pansy played by Marianne Jean-Baptise. We all know a Pansy; smart, witty, fire-tongued, and focussing on everything wrong around her because her own trauma is too hard to look at.
Pansy takes her wrath everywhere she goes, cutting people down to size with abandon be it in a supermarket aisle, a car park or a furniture store with strangers. Her way of communicating isn’t spared from those trying to help her either; be it a doctor or a dentist. In the domestic realm, her wrath bleeds into her relationships with her hardworking gentle husband Curtley (David Webber) and their unemployed and extremely muted 22-year-old son Moses (Tuwaine Barrett). Beyond the nuclear family, this drama broadens and contrasts with compassionate sister and hairdresser Chantelle (Michele Austin) alongside exuberant adult daughters Kayla (Ani Nelson) and Aleisha (Sophia Brown) who are pursuing careers in cosmetics and law.
The portrayal of a woman suffering from overwhelm, grief, ill mental health and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), though heavy themes, the film is fast-paced, darkly funny and offset with tenderness representing issues so present in our society today with insight and originality.
Reuniting master director Mike Leigh (this is his 23rd film) with lead Baptise (following her Golden Globe, Bafta and Oscar-nominated supporting performance for Leigh’s Secrets & Lies) and long-time collaborator Austin, Leigh’s notorious improvisational way of working with actors brings out authenticity and their strengths. The ensemble of intergenerational, prominently Black British actors, who have graced both stage and screen include Jo Martin, Llewella Gideon, Jonathan Livingstone and moments with Gary Beadle, Khali Best and Elliot Edusah. Even in some instances when their time on screen is brief each of the actors’ shines, reinforcing Konstantin Stanislavski notion and famous quote “There are no small roles, only small actors.”
Expect award nominations and accolades for this independent film which is mighty due to the skills of the director and cast, Pansy’s quick-wittedness and memorable one-liners will be on many lips and minds for a long time to come.
Hard Truths premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on 6 September 2024 and will be released United States on 6 December 2024 and will be released in the United Kingdom on 31 January 2025
Reviewed Be Manzini
Manzini was the first Writer In Residence for Sundance, poet-on-tour with film charity Birds’ Eye View, poet on Mark Kermode MK3D live and writing facilitator for Virgin Sport. Known for her ability to create universal and nurturing spaces as a workshop facilitator she teaches adults and children alike.
Manzini’s poetry-films have shown at the Royal Festival Hall, ICA, BFI and various cinemas and film festivals in the UK and abroad.
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