A working-class family in London's East End is struggling to stay afloat during the recession under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's premiership. Only the mother Mavis is working; father Frank and the couple's two sons Colin, a timid, chronically shy individual and Mark, an outspoken, headstrong young man, are on the dole. This situation is contrasted by the presence of Mavis's sister Barbara, and her husband John, whose financial and social loftiness appears to be a comfortable facade over the unspoken soreness of a lackluster marriage.
Directed by Mike Leigh
london, england
skinhead
sibling relationship
recession
working class
apartment building
east end
dole
unemployment benefits
unemployed
1980s
pub
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.8 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Phil Daniels
Mark
Tim Roth
Colin
Pam Ferris
Mavis
Gary Oldman
Coxy
Marion Bailey
Barbara
Alfred Molina
John
Tilly Vosburgh
Haley
Hepburn Graham
Boyfriend
Peter Wight
Estate Manager
Eileen Davies
Unemployment Benefit Clerk
Herbert Norville
Man in Pub
Crew
Mike Leigh
Director
Mike Leigh
Writer
Roger Pratt
Director of Photography
Lindy Hemming
Costume Design
Popular Reviews
71 reviews
Jack Don
10.0★ · 01/23/25
One of Britain’s most depressing periods captured perfectly. Cheers Mike Leigh, just when I thought the country wasn’t enough of a shit show right now you remind me that it’ll never change.
One of Britain’s most depressing periods captured perfectly. Cheers Mike Leigh, just when I thought the country wasn’t enough of a shit show right now you remind me that it’ll never change.
Jules
8.0★ · 04/04/26
so english, i didn‘t understand half of it
so english, i didn‘t understand half of it
Lynn
9.0★ · 11/03/25
silly little kojek tim roth ve amk delisi gary oldman
silly little kojek tim roth ve amk delisi gary oldman
Tit
7.0★ · 08/05/25
meantime is a raw slice of working class british life with no real plot but that’s exactly what makes it compelling anchored by the uneasy yet fascinating relationship between the two brothers it captures the mundane frustrations of unemployment and family pressure without ever feeling forced its grim but never boring and the atmosphere of early 80s england gives it a unique texture that lingers
meantime is a raw slice of working class british life with no real plot but that’s exactly what makes it compelling anchored by the uneasy yet fascinating relationship between the two brothers it captures the mundane frustrations of unemployment and family pressure without ever feeling forced its grim but never boring and the atmosphere of early 80s england gives it a unique texture that lingers
