Mike Leigh

There was apparently some controversy because Hawkins won a Golden Globe, but wasn't even nominated for an Oscar. Perhaps it is because for the first half of the film her character is so ultra-annoying that it makes you cringe and contemplate closing your browser window. By the end, she settles down and shows a lot of depth. But the most memorable performances come from Karina Fernandez as the intense dance instructor and--above all--from Eddie Marsan as an insecure, racist, and increasingly angry driving instructor. He steals every scene he is in, and while we can't condone his racism, his annoyance with Hawkins' character is often understandable. Overall, this is better than so-so, but not great. There are some nice small bits by actors playing the types of people we have come to know--although these are the British versions of those folks.… (mere)