Overview
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.
Trailer
Crew
DirectorMike Leigh
WriterMike Leigh
Cast
Phil Daniels
Mark
Tim Roth
Colin
Jeffrey Robert
Frank
Pam Ferris
Mavis
Gary Oldman
Coxy
Marion Bailey
Barbara
Alfred Molina
John
Tilly Vosburgh
Haley
Leila Bertrand
Hayley's Friend
Hepburn Graham
Boyfriend
Peter Wight
Estate Manager
Eileen Davies
Unemployment Benefit Clerk
Herbert Norville
Man in Pub
Brian Hoskin
Barman
Paul Daly
Rusty
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Keywords
london, englandskinheadsibling relationshiprecessionworking classapartment buildingeast enddoleunemployment benefitsunemployed1980spub
Details
TMDb Votes
106
Added May 14, 2026Updated Jun 4, 2026