JEANNE’S REVIEW

Marianne Jean-Baptiste reunites with writer/director Mike Leigh in his newest film HARD TRUTHS. Twenty-eight years ago, Jean-Baptiste was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in Leigh’s multiple Oscar-nominated SECRETS AND LIES. Her astonishing work here may very well secure another Academy Award nomination.

Pansy (Jean-Baptiste) is married to Curtley (David Webber), a plumber, and they have an adult son named Moses (Tuwaine Barrett), who lives at home. Curtley appears to work steadily, and, at a cursory glance, their lives seem rather stable. But the truth is much harsher. Pansy is not a well woman. She flys into fits of rage over trivial matters, especially where Curtley and Moses are concerned.

However, her tirades are not only directed at her family. She wrangles with people everywhere --- in grocery stores, parking lots, doctor’s appointments --- it doesn’t matter. She’s constantly tired and just wants to sleep. When her younger sister, Chantelle (Michele Austin), a popular hairdresser, asks her to go to their mother’s gravesite on Mother’s Day, Pansy goes apoplectic. She accuses Chantelle of being their mother’s favorite and is not shy about speaking of her disdain for her mother.

No one --- NO ONE --- can do anything right. Pansy wants to be rid of Curtley. She cannot understand why he didn’t teach Moses to be a plumber instead of hiring Virgil (Jonathan Livingstone) as his assistant. Moses, who should be out seeking some employment, stays in his room playing video games and listening to music.

Even Moses’ cousins, Chantelle’s daughters, Kayla (Ani Nelson) and Aleisha (Sophia Brown), are concerned about him and his lack of motivation. But it’s not difficult to understand his plight when Pansy is forever nitpicking everything he and Curtley do --- or don’t do. An especially awkward Mother’s Day brunch at Chantelle’s brings to light the depths of disfunction of Pansy’s family.

Leigh has never shied away from controversial/difficult subject matters. HARD TRUTHS isn’t exactly controversial, but it is definitely difficult to watch. Pansy is completely off balance and Jean-Baptiste’s performance is riveting. I have a tendency to pick on poor David, but Pansy is in a totally different stratosphere --- she’s cray-cray. And no one can --- or wants to --- help.

The entire cast is phenomenal. There are many moments of silence when the audience is informed by the facial expressions of the actors. Webber’s portrayal of Curtley is heartrending --- we’re not exactly sure what he has done to incur Pansy’s wrath, but a great deal is learned through  his countenance. And poor Barrett seems to be in a perpetual state of confusion and loneliness as Moses.

Despite its bleakness, HARD TRUTHS is a poignant look at families --- and why we love those who are incapable of loving themselves. If Chantelle can forgive and still love Pansy, it’s an important lesson for all of us.

Opinion: See It Now!