HARD TRUTHS (in theatres)

Director Mike Leigh has created a paradigm of an individual who makes the act of complaining into an art form; “Pansy” (inappropriately named; Shakespeare’s favorite flower; there is nothing favorable about this woman) depicted with poisonous angst by Marianne Jean-Baptiste; her pulverizing hatred for herself, spews forth from a mouth tainted with abhorrence for mankind; the world is her enemy and she gives with egregious wrath to all she encounters; she has been wronged by her mother, and vituperatively wounds those closest to her: husband “Curtley” (silently, sorrowfully magnificent David Webber), son “Moses” (Tuwaine Barrett) slothful, gluttonous with food, unlike his mother, is his friend; sister “Chantelle” (Michele Austin), adds positivity to the scenario;  but too late to save this film from itself, even gifted Jean-Baptiste’s superb performance; by the time it tries viewers, unhealthily drenched in Pansy’s venom, aren’t given an antidote for resurrection.

TWO &1/2 STARS!!

Peneflix