Episode 037 - High Hopes (1988)

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British films....with the occasional hint of professionalism. In this episode, we take a look at an early movie from acclaimed British director, Mike Leigh – High Hopes from 1988 ''Slice-of-life look at a sweet working-class couple in London, Shirley and Cyril, his mother, who's aging quickly and becoming forgetful, mum's ghastly upper-middle-class neighbours, and Cyril's pretentious sister and philandering husband. Shirley wants a baby, but Cyril, who reads Marx and wants the world to be perfect, is reluctant. Cyril's mum locks herself out and must ask her snooty neighbours for help. Then Cyril's sister Valerie stages a surprise party for mum's 70th birthday, a disaster from start to finish. Shirley holds things together, and she and Cyril may put aside her Dutch cap after all.'' This and all our other episodes can be found on: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Radio Libsyn Player FM Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Facebook: facebook.com/rbritanniapod email: [email protected] Thanks for listening Scott and Steven