High Hopes (1988)

The life of a working class couple living in London and their complicated relationships with other members of the family.

Director:

Mike Leigh

Writer:

Mike Leigh

Stars:

Phil Davis, Ruth Sheen, Edna Doré

5 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Phil Davis	...	Cyril (as Philip Davis)
Ruth Sheen	...	Shirley
Edna Doré	...	Mrs Bender
Philip Jackson	...	Martin
Heather Tobias	...	Valerie
Lesley Manville	...	Lætitia
David Bamber	...	Rupert
Jason Watkins	...	Wayne
Judith Scott	...	Suzi
Cheryl Prime	...	Martin's Girlfriend
Diane-Louise Jordan	...	Chemist Shop Assistant
Linda Beckett	...	Receptionist
Ali	...	Baby

Storyline

Slice-of-life look at a sweet working-class couple in London, Shirley and Cyril, his mother, who's aging quickly and becoming forgetful, mum's ghastly upper-middle-class neighbors, and Cyril's pretentious sister and philandering husband. Shirley wants a baby, but Cyril, who reads Marx and wants the world to be perfect, is reluctant. Cyril's mum locks herself out and must ask her snooty neighbors for help. Then Cyril's sister Valerie stages a surprise party for mum's 70th birthday, a disaster from start to finish. Shirley holds things together, and she and Cyril may put aside her Dutch cap after all.

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Plot Keywords:

drinking champagne in a bath | elderly woman | adultery | liberal | neighbor | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Quotes

Rupert Boothe-Braine: Now... what made this country great was a place for everyone, and everyone in his place. And this is my place.

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Connections

Referenced in The Adam and Joe Show: Episode #1.3 (1996)

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Soundtracks

Lonely Street
(uncredited)
Written by Carl Belew, Kenny Sowder and W.S. Stevenson

User Reviews

Really lovely movie

Of course the marketing people hype every movie like it's a cross between "Titanic" and "Wedding Crashers" but there is such a thing as a small lovely film and "High Hopes" is it. It's a comedy but nobody passes gas or accidentally drinks urine, so it's a cut above any comedy produced in the U.S. during the last thirty years. It's just about people, working class people in London trying to get by. But its got a good heart and the smiles it provides will stick with you longer than the brain-dead belly laughs strained over in Hollywood comedies. It just feels like real life. The actors don't seem to be acting. And you end up pretty hopeful regarding the human condition.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 February 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

High Hopes

Filming Locations:

Kenilworth Road, Bow, London, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP1,800,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$27,964, 26 February 1989

Gross USA:

$1,192,322

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,192,322

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Screen Productions, Channel Four Films, Portman Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1