Here's an interesting variation on some of the same themes "Parenthood" introduces, but it's a very British version, concentrating its satirical venom on the Thatcher administration as it tells the story of a hard-pressed working-class family in London.
"High Hopes" begins with a wimpy lad wandering through an outskirts suburb, and we are led to believe he is going to be the lead character. But in fact, he merely provides a funny running gag throughout the film's first half.The first person he encounters on the street is Cyril (Philip Davis), working on his motorcycle. Cyril and Shirley (Ruth Sheen), his live-in companion of 10 years, turn out to be the main characters.
They are living a pseudo-hippie lifestyle, residing in a very small flat with anti-nuke posters on the walls, a mattress on their living-room floor, and smoking home-rolled marijuana. Both are avid environmentalists and have some scathing things to say about Margaret Thatcher and the sad state of London unemployment.
Though it takes awhile to reveal itself fully, the central plot has to do with their relationship with Cyril's mother, Mrs. Bender (Edna Dore), who is about to celebrate her 70th birthday. She's slow, she's losing her memory and is obviously very unhappy, and she has trouble getting about. And before long it becomes painfully obvious that Cyril, who is all talk and no activism, and his sister, a loud, overbearing woman who dreams of being part of the uppercrust, wish their mother would simply pass on and leave them alone.
In fact, the person who seems most concerned and loving toward Mrs. Bender is Shirley, who is no relation at all.
Eventually, the film goes in the direction of Cyril discovering that he cares more for his mother than he thinks, and ultimately "High Hopes" proves itself more sentimental than it would like to admit as mother and son reluctantly reconcile.
Along the way there are some aspects that may try the patience of even the most avid fans of British films, however, in particular a long, windy speech about the Thatcher government that becomes redundant and far too preachy and later a dinner party for Mrs. Bender that becomes so loud and obnoxious that the audience will feel far too uncomfortable.
What's more, while Cyril, his mother and Shirley seem very real in their rooted characterizations - these actors are all quite marvelous - Cyril's sister and husband (Heather Tobias, Philip Jackson) are very broad working-class stereotypes. And even more broad are Mrs. Bender's next-door neighbors (Leslie Manville, David Bamber), a couple of upper-class twits that make Monty Python's parodies seem subtle.
That combination is rather unsettling, making the film's tone uneven at best. But "High Hopes," written and directed by Mike Leigh, offers some fine rewards for those willing to stick it out, and ultimately the bittersweet comedy and unabashed sentiment blend for a satisfying conclusion.
"High Hopes" is unrated but would doubtless get an R for profanity, though it is not terribly excessive. Cyril also continuously smokes grass, there is a nude photo and later a nude painting shown and quite a bit of vulgar British slang.