The epitome of the statement “everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about,” Hard Truths is the latest film by Mike Leigh (Naked 1993, Another Year 2010), who also wrote the screenplay.
Released in theaters via Obscured Pictures on January 10, 2025, the film follows Pansy, played by Marianne Jean-Baptiste (In Fabric 2018, The Book of Clarence 2023) in fierce form. Pansy is an extremely angry person. She picks fights with everyone she comes across, from the cashier in the supermarket to a random man in a car park. She lives unhappily with her meek husband Curtley (David Webber: Captain Phillips 2013, The Children Act 2017) and directionless adult son Moses (Tuwaine Barrett: Spider-Man: Far From Home 2019, Back to Black 2024) and berates them constantly. She alienates the other members of her extended family and her friends – in short, she is incredibly unpleasant.
Just as Pansy alienates everyone around her, the film threatens to alienate the audience with its brittle main character. However, just as in life, there is always a reason why people behave the way they do, and there is a reason why Pansy is the way she is, too. With that in mind, Hard Truths gradually transforms from the observations of an excessively angry person to the character study of a deeply unhappy woman.
Hard Truths is a great acting showcase for Jean-Baptiste as she takes centre stage here. At first, Pansy is almost played for laughs. She might be forever complaining and giving her husband and son little respite. Still, when her monologues are bemoaning the annoying neighbours and explaining why babies need pockets on their clothes, they do have an element of comedic. As Pansy becomes more personal in her attacks, we get to see Jean-Baptiste transform. Eventually, she reveals how incredibly vulnerable and insecure Pansy really is.
Hard Truths is a really well-observed piece by Leigh. There is a lot in the characters and their day-to-day lives that will resonate with audiences, and at times, the film almost feels documentarian.
However, much like its title might suggest, Hard Truths is not an easy watch. Pansy’s anger and derision can be difficult to see, but that is not what makes this film tricky. There is a lot of loneliness and misery within Hard Truths; truthfully, it makes for a very somber watching experience.
Overall, Hard Truths is an extremely effective film. Although its eventual revelations require some caution, and with that, Cryptic Rock gives it 4 out of 5 stars.
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