TIFF 2024: Hard Truths Review

This will be one of many reviews during this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, to keep up with our latest coverage, click here.

Legendary British filmmaker Mike Leigh has returned to filmmaking for his first feature film in 6 years with his latest, Hard Truths, which saw its world premiere at this year’s festival. Leigh’s return is one that brings him back to his roots, a subtle British drama that is dialogue heavy and relies on deep human emotion. The film also reunites Leigh with the star of his Palme d’Or winner Secrets & Lies, Marianne Jean-Baptiste who stars as Pansy, a woman racked by fear and prone to outbursts against anyone and everyone.

Pansy lives with her son, Moses (Barrett), and her husband Curtley (David Webber) for whom she has rather depressing relationships with, where they often feel the brunt of her frustration and anger towards the outside world. Pansy is a woman whose frustrations and fear almost mirror a reflection to a post-covid world in which many seem to have lost faith in the world around them. Her sister Chantelle (Austin), a charismatic mother of two and a popular hairdresser, goes through a struggle with her sister as they often reminisce on their mother and past griefs. Their contrast is day and night, with Chantelle seemingly able to persevere, while her sister struggles. 

Marianne Jean-Baptiste shines as Pansy. Her performance is full of pain and struggle, there is almost never a dull moment as Pansy always seems to find herself in conflict. Whether it be with her husband, sister, or a clerk at a local grocery mart, she is always finding a way to pick a fight, even if it isn’t out there in open space. There are certainly times where the nature of the character feels overwhelming, and even over the top. However, there is quite a bit of humour mixed throughout, with many of Pansy’s “roasts” actually packing some genuine hilariousness to them. She is a sad woman, and while the root of Pansy’s struggle is not explored in extreme detail, there is a sense that this is just who she is and has become, and it might be too hard to save a person as hurt as she. 

For a film with such a deep and profoundly sad characterization of its characters, it avoids being a depressing slog due to the humorous interplay. Chantelle, and her two daughters, lead rather good lives, while she is such a joyous soul that the interplay with her daughters also often makes for a few laughs. With a very minimal cast, the film, at times, feels play-like in execution. While not super long in length, it does drag at times as there are feelings of aimlessness within the plot, one can’t help but feel like it is going in circles. Maybe Leigh intended for this, but it doesn’t always serve to benefit the engagement factor. 

At the end of the day, Hard Truths is well acted, led by an expertly executed performance by Marianne Jean-Baptiste and entertaining interplay from its entire cast. Though it lacks an all-around effort to deliver a strong message, it is emotionally resonant. While not Mike Leigh’s best work, it is still a welcomed return from the longtime writer/director.

*still courtesy of Bleecker Street*

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Brennan Dubé

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