All or Nothing (film)

All or Nothing is a British drama from 2002, both penned and helmed by Mike Leigh, featuring performances by Timothy Spall and Lesley Manville. Set against the backdrop of contemporary London, the film delves into the experiences of three working-class households.

Synopsis

The narrative centers on Rachel, employed at a nursing facility; her father Phil, who drives a minicab; and her mother Penny, a cashier at Safeway working alongside Maureen, who is the mother in the second family. Upon returning home, Penny discovers her 18-year-old son Rory engaged in a dispute over a football. Rory is an unemployed, overweight adolescent who endures a heart attack following a confrontation with neighborhood youths.

Maureen’s household includes her daughter Donna, who works as a café waitress and becomes pregnant despite using birth control, leading to tensions within the family. The third family consists of Ron, also a minicab driver; his unemployed daughter Samantha; and his wife Carol, who struggles with alcoholism. Samantha expresses interest in Jason and Craig, the latter being a reserved young man who seems to shadow her.

Film locations

The coastal area of Dungeness in Kent was utilized as a filming location for the sequence where Phil visits the seaside to contemplate his difficulties.

Reception

Critics responded favorably to the film, which holds an 82% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 92 reviews, with an average score of 7.1 out of 10. Its genuine depiction of working-class existence was commended despite the somber atmosphere. On Metacritic, it earned a score of 72 out of 100 and received a B+ grade on Yahoo! Movies.

Awards

All or Nothing secured the London Film Critics Circle Award for Best British Film and garnered Mike Leigh a nomination for Best Director at the European Film Awards. Additionally, it was shortlisted for the Palme d'Or at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.

External links

• All or Nothing at BFI Screenonline