The B-Side Episode 164 – Mike Leigh (featuring Alex Heeney)

      Welcome to The B-Side! Here, we explore movie directors—not the films that brought them fame or maintained their status, but those they created in between.

      Today, we focus on Mike Leigh, one of the finest filmmakers of our time. Born in England in 1943, Leigh is an artist who connects deeply with the everyday person more than most. This label, however, can be limiting, as his aesthetic is both deceptively simple and profoundly effective. Our B-Sides include Life is Sweet, Career Girls, All or Nothing, and Peterloo. Joining us is Alex Heeney, Editor-in-Chief of The Seventh Row, co-author of Peterloo in Process, and host of the Seventh Row Podcast. They have discussed several of Leigh’s films on the podcast, such as Naked and Hard Truths.

      Heeney has also created a brief guide specifically for our listeners! This guide highlights an outstanding 2024 release that hasn't received much attention, featuring characters that are as rich and intricate as Leigh’s best. It contains a spoiler-free introduction, information on where to watch, and a few thought-provoking prompts to enhance the viewing experience. We discuss with Heeney Leigh’s distinctive, collaborative approach to developing each new film, as well as his early work with the BBC and Channel 4 (including Bleak Moments, Meantime, High Hopes, among others) prior to the modest success of Life is Sweet.

      Additionally, we talk about Secrets & Lies and its immediate follow-up Career Girls, which often feels like a companion piece to Naked. We also examine whether the flashbacks in Career Girls stem from memory or represent a more conventional narrative structure. We celebrate Timothy Spall’s remarkable range in Leigh’s films (notably his impactful performance in All or Nothing), and I commend Leigh’s exceptional short film, A Sense of History.

      Furthermore, we mention the podcast Devised and Directed: The Films of Mike Leigh, which provides an in-depth analysis of the filmmaker’s career and works. You'll hear many familiar voices appearing as guests on that series, conversing with host Ian Moran about Leigh’s extensive filmography.

      We discuss our favorite Mike Leigh films and revisit some that haven’t resonated with us as much. Above all, we admire his remarkable ability to uncover truth in his characters, both significant and minor.

      Listen below and subscribe here. Don't forget to follow us on Bluesky at @tfsbside.bsky.social. Enjoy!