Life Is Sweet (1990)

Director:

Mike Leigh

Writer:

Mike Leigh

Release Date:

December 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Just north of London live Wendy, Andy, and their twenty-something twins, Natalie and Nicola. Wendy clerks in a shop...

Plot Keywords:

Twin | Lunch Wagon | Restaurant | Class Differences | Eating Disorder

Awards:

8 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Alison Steadman	...	Wendy
Jim Broadbent	...	Andy
Claire Skinner	...	Natalie
Jane Horrocks	...	Nicola
Stephen Rea	...	Patsy
Timothy Spall	...	Aubrey, Regret Rien Owner
David Thewlis	...	Nicola's Lover
Moya Brady	...	Paula, Aubrey's Cook
David Neilson	...	Steve the Plumber
Harriet Thorpe	...	Bunnikins' Customer
Paul Trussel	...	Chef where Andy Works
Jack Thorpe-Baker	...	Nigel

Directed by
Mike Leigh

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Mike Leigh

Produced by
Simon Channing Williams	....	producer

Original Music by
Rachel Portman

Cinematography by
Dick Pope

Film Editing by
Jon Gregory

Casting by
Sue Whatmough

Production Design by
Alison Chitty

Art Direction by
Sophie Becher

Costume Design by
Lindy Hemming

Makeup Department
Christine Blundell	....	hair stylist (as Chris Blundell)
Christine Blundell	....	makeup artist (as Chris Blundell)
Carolyne Walsh	....	hair stylist
Carolyne Walsh	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Lorraine Goodman	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
David Gilchrist	....	third assistant director
Gus Maclean	....	first assistant director
Hedda Moore	....	fourth assistant director
Simon Moseley	....	second assistant director

Art Department
David Balfour	....	property master
Trisha Edwards	....	production buyer
Pat Harkins	....	stand-by props
Bill Howe	....	stand-by rigger
Piero Jamieson	....	dressing props
Eddie Klima	....	carpenter
Ken Marples	....	construction manager
Greg Mason	....	painter
Bob Starrett	....	stand-by carpenter
Steve Wheeler	....	stand-by props
Debbie Wilson	....	art department assistant (as Deborah Wilson)
Mark White	....	construction (uncredited)

Sound Department
Sue Baker	....	dubbing editor
Malcolm Hirst	....	sound recordist
Dick Lewzey	....	sound engineer
Peter Maxwell	....	dubbing mixer
Andrew Morris	....	boom operator
Julian Rodd	....	foley editor
Penny Woolley	....	assistant dubbing editor
Steve Hancock	....	sound camera operator (uncredited)

Stunts
Peter Brayham	....	stunt arranger

Camera and Electrical Department
Lucy Bristow	....	clapper loader
Martin Duncan	....	best boy gaffer
John Gardey	....	additional still photographer
Bill Howe	....	stand-by rigger
Simon Mein	....	still photographer
Len O'Brien	....	generator operator
Dave Owen	....	electrician
John Parsons	....	gaffer
Dick Pope	....	camera operator
Gary Turnbull	....	focus puller
Jay Williams	....	camera grip

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Anthony Black	....	wardrobe supervisor
Debbie Scott	....	assistant costume designer

Editorial Department
Stephens Evans	....	first assistant editor
Jackie Vance	....	second assistant editor

Music Department
David Snell	....	conductor
David Snell	....	music producer

Transportation Department
Phil Allchin	....	unit driver

Other crew
Chris Allies	....	title designer
Joan Atkinson	....	additional script supervisor
Joey Bishop	....	jobfit trainee
James Bloom	....	production runner
Sandy Garfield	....	food advisor
Lynne Gruddis	....	assistant to producer
Deborah Harding	....	production coordinator
Juanita Parker	....	assistant accountant
Nicholas Shaw	....	rehearsal production runner
Eve Stewart	....	thin man logo designer
Heather Storr	....	script supervisor
Peter Tullo	....	location manager
Will Tyler	....	production accountant
Fiona Walsh	....	jobfit trainee

Production Companies

• British Screen Productions
• Channel Four Films
• Thin Man Films

Distributors

• Forum Distribution (1991) (France) (theatrical)
• October Films (1991) (USA)
• Republic Pictures Home Video (1992) (USA) (VHS)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (1992) (Argentina) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Carolyn Jardine Publicity  publicity consultants
• De Lane Lea Sound Centre  post-production
• Film Lighting Services  lighting
• J&J Film Foods Ltd.  catering
• Joe Dunton & Company  camera equipment provided by
• Peerless Camera Company  title opticals
• Sapex Scripts  post-production script services
• Studios CTS  score recording studio
• Tru-Cut  negative cutting

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for language and a scene of sensuality

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Enfield, Middlesex, England, UK

Company:

British Screen Productions

Trivia:

The menu of the Regret Rien restaurant includes: Black Pudding and Camembert Soup, Boiled Bacon Comsommé, Saveloy on a Bed of Lychees, Liver in Lager, Pork Cyst, Clams in Ham with Pan-Fried Cocke-based Sauce, Prune Quiche, King Prawn (just one) in Jam Sauce, Duck in Chocolate Sauce, Tongues in a Rhubarb Hollandaise, Tripe Soufflé, Quails on a Bed of Spinach and Treacle, Kidney Vols-au-vent, Chilled Brains, Prune Quiche, Grilled Trotter with Eggs Over Easy

Quotes:

Aubrey, Regret Rien Owner:Classic nose.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Mike Leigh in Conversation (2008) (V)

Best film of the year

What can I say that previous fans of this movie have not said yet? I think that Mike Leigh is the best filmmaker working today. So, I won't bother rehashing the story line.

I am convinced even thinking back to 1991, when it was released in the US, that Life is Sweet was the best of that year. That year was remembered more for, among others, Schindler's List, The Remains of the Day and The Piano.

Alison Steadman seemingly insensitive lighthearted outlook on the world -laughing after nearly every sentence she or others utter, which incredibly I never tired of (an amazing feat), is all just her way of dealing with life. She sees it for what it is. The scene where she explains to her daughter Nicola how much of a sacrifice that she and her husband have made for the sake of their family is one of the most touching I have seen between a mother and daughter. I felt as though I was eaves-dropping while watching it. What a pleasure!