From seven-time Oscar® nominee Mike Leigh comes this critically acclaimed slice of life starring Academy Award® winner Jim Broadbent (Best Supporting Actor, Iris, 2001), Lesley Manville and Ruth Sheen. A happy couple for over thirty years, Tom (Broadbent) and Gerri (Sheen) act as a steady anchor to their unmarried circle of family and friends. But as the seasons change and another year passes, Tom and Gerri’s support is put to the test in this masterful look at life, love and the meaning of friendship.
ANOTHER YEAR will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray on Tuesday, June 7th, 2011.
Tom (Jim Broadbent) and Gerri Hepple (Ruth Sheen) are a married couple who have managed to remain blissfully happy into their autumn years. The film observes them over the course of the four seasons of an average year, surrounded by friends, colleagues, and family.
Gerri works as a counsellor at a doctor's surgery where her colleague Mary (Lesley Manville) is a receptionist. Mary persuades Gerri to go for a drink with her, telling Gerri her troubles as well as her plan to buy a car so she can enjoy more freedom. After Gerri leaves, Mary tries to flirt with a man who seems to encourage her interest, only to reveal that he already has a date.
Mary drives her newly bought car to the Heppel's home for a summer garden party. Mary arrives late and reveals her stress and helplessness; her attraction to Gerri and Tom's son, Joe, is obvious and he seems to respond positively. Afterwards, Mary drives Joe and Ken to King's Cross train station. Ken makes a clumsy romantic approach to but Mary angrily rejects him.
Months later, Mary is at Tom and Gerri's home again, this time arriving by tube as her car has been towed. Joe arrives with a new girlfriend, Katie. Mary seems shocked and upset to find herself usurped in Joe's affections. After the couple leave Mary questions Joe and Katie's relationship, but Gerri is quick to refute her scepticism.
Time moves on to winter and Tom, Gerri and Joe arrive at the home of Tom's brother, Ronnie, for the funeral of his wife. Near the end of the funeral, Ronnie's estranged son arrives, angrily questioning why the funeral has not been delayed for him. The group tries to pacify him but the the deep conflict between father and son is evident and, back at Ronnie's house, he becomes argumentative again and walks out. Tom and Gerri decide to invite Ronnie back to London to stay with them and Ronnie agrees.
More time passes and while Tom and Gerri go to their allotment Mary arrives at the Heppel's home to find Ronnie in the house alone. She persuades him to let her in. The two have a cup of tea then smoke together in the garden as Mary reveals that she has sold her car for scrap. Mary falls asleep on the couch. When Tom and Gerri return they are upset to find Mary at their home; it is clear an unscreened disagreement has taken place, but Gerri gradually extends a degree of friendship to Mary once more and they lay the table together. Joe and Katie arrive for dinner, still happily together and warmly welcomed by Tom and Gerri. At the table, the Heppels enjoy dinner as a family; Mary's feelings as an outsider remain inscrutable.
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