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IMDbPro

High Hopes

  • 1988
  • PG
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
5.5K
YOUR RATING
High Hopes (1988)
Slice-of-life look at a sweet working-class couple in London, Shirley and Cyril, his mother, who's aging quickly and becoming forgetful.
Play trailer0:59
1 Video
14 Photos
ComedyDrama

The life of a working class couple living in London and their complicated relationships with other members of the family.The life of a working class couple living in London and their complicated relationships with other members of the family.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
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    5.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mike Leigh
    • Writer
      • Mike Leigh
    • Stars
      • Phil Davis
      • Ruth Sheen
      • Edna Doré
    • 31User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
    • 84Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 6 nominations

    Videos1

    Trailer: High Hopes
    Trailer 0:59
    Watch Trailer: High Hopes

    Photos14

    High Hopes (1988)
    Imelda Staunton and Mike Leigh in Bleak Moments (1971)
    High Hopes (1988)
    High Hopes (1988)
    Phil Davis, Edna Doré, and Ruth Sheen in High Hopes (1988)
    Mike Leigh in High Hopes (1988)
    High Hopes (1988)
    High Hopes (1988)
    High Hopes (1988)
    High Hopes (1988)
    High Hopes (1988)
    High Hopes (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Phil Davis
    Phil Davis
    • Cyril
    • (as Philip Davis)
    Ruth Sheen
    Ruth Sheen
    • Shirley
    Edna Doré
    • Mrs Bender
    Philip Jackson
    Philip Jackson
    • Martin
    Heather Tobias
    • Valerie
    Lesley Manville
    Lesley Manville
    • Lætitia
    David Bamber
    David Bamber
    • Rupert
    Jason Watkins
    Jason Watkins
    • Wayne
    Judith Scott
    • Suzi
    Cheryl Prime
    • Martin's Girlfriend
    Diane-Louise Jordan
    • Chemist Shop Assistant
    Linda Beckett
    • Receptionist
    Ali
    • Baby
    Aidan Harrington
    • Man in Street
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Mike Leigh
    • Writer
      • Mike Leigh
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    The Short & Curlies
    6.6
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This film has a 100% raring based on 10 critic reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.
    • Goofs
      After they come back from the opera, Lætitia sings the aria "La ci darem" to Rupert, which she claims was from the opera they just saw. They proceed to talk about the characters Susanna and Cherubino. However, these characters are from The Marriage of Figaro whereas the aria "La ci darem" is from Don Giovanni.
    • 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.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Chances Are/Paperhouse/The 'Burbs/Bert Rigby, You're a Fool/High Hopes (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Poor Man's Prison
      (uncredited)

      Written by Keith Colley and Knox Henderson

    User reviews31

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    A very real slice of very real life.
    A seemingly quaint period piece that articulates eternal issues. All the characters are so real I wondered if they were based on people I know, as I lived near to kings cross at that time. I now realise these characters are modern archetypes. Did mike Leigh invent the archetypes? The film making itself is so understated that I wondered if I was watching reality TV! The device of the opening character , to lead us into the lives of these characters is a stroke of genius! I always approach Leighs films thinking 'worthy but boring', but time and again he has me crying and laughing and everything in-between. This film will only get better with time.
    helpful•12
    3
    • sign-3
    • May 31, 2007

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 26, 1989 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Velike nade
    • Filming locations
      • Stanley Passage, King's Cross, London, England, UK(apartment of Ruth Sheen and Philip Davis)
    • Production companies
      • Portman Productions
      • Channel Four Films
      • British Screen Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • £1,800,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,192,322
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $27,964
      • Feb 26, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,192,322
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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