Hard Truths
Seen it?2024 | 97 min | Drama, Comedy
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (95% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention, though it had a box office flop and a lukewarm 6.4 out of 10 from audiences. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Hannah and Her Sisters or Little Miss Sunshine, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 37 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Pansy is a woman so full of rage that every interaction she has devolves into lashing out, whether at her utterly cowed husband and son, or random strangers who have the temerity to address her. In contrast, her younger sister Chantelle lives with her two vivacious daughters and plies a successful trade as a hairdresser, putting clients at their ease all day long. Yet beneath Pansy’s abrasive exterior are hints of a more fragile psyche, one motivated by fear and damaged by repressed pain.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 88 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.4 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Nominated for 2 BAFTAs, 1 Critics' Choice Award and 1 Independent Spirit Award.
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$719K worldwide
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 135K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Mike Leigh
- Marianne Jean-BaptistePansy
- Michele AustinChantelle
- David WebberCurtley
- Tuwaine BarrettMoses
- Ani NelsonKayla
- Sophia BrownAleisha
- Jonathan LivingstoneVirgil
- Jo MartinNurse Salon Client
- Llewella GideonSmoking Salon Client
- Yvette BoakyeSalon Client