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'Hard Truths' review: Mike Leigh explores deep-seated anguish through darkly funny realism

Mashable
Summary
Nutrition label

69% Informative

Mike Leigh's latest social drama, Hard Truths , paints an acerbic and empathetic portrait of what hitting your limit looks like.

The film, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste's rankled performance as a wife and mother who just can't catch a break, seem to exist just beyond an invisible point of no return.

The film seats its jet-black humor right next to its notions of people's deep and complicated personal history.

Jean-Baptiste delivers career-best work in what may be one of the most challenging performances this year .

The biggest challenge for both actress and director is maintaining a familiar sense of humanity during even verbose, borderline Shakespearean outbursts.

VR Score

64

Informative language

58

Neutral language

35

Article tone

informal

Language

English

Language complexity

52

Offensive language

likely offensive

Hate speech

not hateful

Attention-grabbing headline

not detected

Known propaganda techniques

not detected

Time-value

medium-lived

Affiliate links

no affiliate links