All Or Nothing

• Cert:
• Running time: 128 minutes
• Year: 2002
• Released: 18th October 2002
• Widescreen Ratio: 1.85:1
• Rating: 3/10

Director:

(All or Nothing, Naked, Secrets & Lies, Topsy-Turvy)

Cast:

Call it a premonition, Murphy’s Law or good old fashioned bad luck, butsometimes you should be careful what you wish for. In my Sweet Sixteenreview I noted that I wasn’t a huge fan of Mike Leigh‘s output and that Iwould take Ken Loach over him any day of the week. For my sins, Isubsequently found myself at the beardy one’s latest release, All OrNothing. Given the choice over again, I’d have to opt for nothing. For thisis an excruciatingly tedious domestic drama, as far removed from the energyand insight of Sweet Sixteen as it is possible to be.

The story, such as it is, follows several days in the working and sociallives of a group of neighbours in a London housing estate. Phil Bassett isa struggling taxi driver, lazy and shiftless, but with a good heart and asweet nature. His partner, Penny, works in the local supermarket and findsit tough to make ends meet for her family. Daughter Rachel is overweightand miserable and is a cleaner in an old folks’ home, while very overweightson Rory makes his father look like Worker of the Year, spending his timewatching television and screaming abuse at his timid parents.

As for the neighbours: Ron, workmate of Phil, is married to Carol,alcoholic friend of Penny. Their daughter Samantha is the neighbourhoodslapper, pursued by the clearly disturbed Craig. Witty and wise Maureen,supermarket colleague of Penny, is bringing up daughter Donna on her own.Donna has fallen pregnant to her waster boyfriend and is finding it hard tocope.