WRITER & DIRECTOR
Mike Leigh
Secrets & Lies, Vera Drake, Peterloo

STARS
Marianne Jean-Baptiste, David Webber, Tuwaine Barrett and Michele Austin

Hard Truths might be the latest film by veteran writer and director Mike Leigh, have received widespread critical acclaim and won 24 of the 57 awards (and counting) it is nominated for, but I have some hard truths of my own for this film.

Almost the entire movie is centred on the character of Pansy (Marianne Jean-Baptiste). To say she gives every person within vocal vicinity of her a hard time is a monumental understatement. This extremely challenging, irascible and deeply troubled middle-aged woman will fire one venomous and often unprovoked tirade after another, anytime, anywhere and at any person. Her most frequent easy targets and long-time sufferers are husband Curtley (David Webber) and 22-year-old layabout son, Moses (Tuwaine Barrett). Moses in particular cops it every time he is brave enough to leave his untidy bedroom to any other room in the otherwise spotlessly clean family house. The only person, or angel, shall we call her, that is miraculously tolerant enough of Pansy is her hairdresser sister, Chantelle (Michele Austin).

The final verdict and ultimate impact a film can have upon its viewer can come down to timing. The timing in which you experience the story and its characters. For instance, if you have just lost someone close to you and watch a film where a character also passes away, those genuine and raw emotions are bound to be triggered, and you will feel the impact of the film more deeply than perhaps you might have before losing that person.

To watch a film where the central character is constantly bitter, displays extreme negativity, incessantly complains and talks, and has a poisonous personality is, admittedly, the worst possible choice I could have made at this moment. Without intending to sound as though I am self-pitying here, there is enough happening in life to give a hard time, the last thing I needed or wanted is for a fictional character in a film to contribute to that for slightly more than an hour and a half!

Now, all of this would not only have not mattered, but even been rewarding, if Hard Truths’ characterisation of Pansy was not as heavily one-dimensional as it is. Though there is clearly a reason for her awful behaviour and temperament, the context and background to validate this characterisation and enable viewers to empathise is almost non-existent and the little there is arrives far too late. Often, Mike Leigh’s directing and the acting performances make watching Hard Truth feel more like a stage production in a completely non-complimentary manner. Episodic sub-plots featuring barely supporting characters appear, then disappear, and add very little to nothing to the film. It also barely bothers to conjure something that forms a story and has no real trajectory or sense of purpose either. The only compliment, of sorts, I can give this almost unwatchable movie is to credit the performance of Marianne Jean-Baptiste. If her job was to make viewers wish they never devoted their precious time to this character, then she certainly succeeded at that.

One of the most overrated films of 2025.

Hard Truths is showing in selected cinemas across Australia from March 6th.

Moviedoc thanks Mushroom Studios, The Reset Collective and Annette Smith: Ned & Co for providing a screener link to watch and review this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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