Career Girls (1997)

Director:

Mike Leigh

Writer:

Mike Leigh (writer)

Release Date:

8 August 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

All Hannah wanted was a roommate... instead she got a best friend.

Plot:

2 young women reunite and rekindle their friendship after having said goodbye at their college graduation, six years earlier.

Plot Keywords:

College | Misfit | Roommate | Obesity | Eczema

Awards:

3 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Katrin Cartlidge	...	Hannah Mills
Lynda Steadman	...	Annie
Kate Byers	...	Claire
Mark Benton	...	Ricky Burton
Andy Serkis	...	Mr. Evans
Joe Tucker	...	Adrian Spinks
Margo Stanley	...	Mrs. Burton, Ricky's Nan
Michael Healy	...	Lecturer

Also Known As:

Career Girls - uranaisia (Finland) [fi]
Dos chicas de hoy (Spain) [es]
Filles d'aujourd'hui (Canada: French title) [fr]
Két angol lány (Hungary) [hu]
Karriere Girls (Germany) [de]
Koritsia karieras (Greece) [el]
Ragazze (Italy) [it]
Raparigas de Sucesso (Portugal) [pt]
Simplemente amigas (Argentina) [es]
Wspóllokatorki (Poland) [pl]
Yaldot Carriera (Israel: Hebrew title) [iw]

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexuality.

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

UK | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Netherlands:AL | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:S | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

King's Cross Station, King's Cross, London, England, UK

Company:

Channel Four Films

Quotes:

Annie: I'll cook you some pasta, like the old days.
Hannah: Living in the pasta.

Movie Connections:

References "Play School" (1966)

Soundtrack:

The Lovecats

Absolutely enjoyable! Funny and moving.

Having caught a glimpse of Leigh's "High Hopes" on television a few years back, I remember how the simplistic, unpretentious, subtle hilariousness and dramatic realism stuck with me. I then caught "All or Nothing" on IFC and immediately noticed the similarities in style between these two films. Then I rented "Career Girls" and so far Mike Leigh is 3 for 3 with me. I intend to watch all of his films. These movies are not for the easily distracted as they tend to move at a very slow pace and plots are not the main focus of the filmaking. However, the characters are all wonderfully portrayed and the acting is remarkable. Career Girls is no exception. Often hilarious, this movie also touches the heartstrings but in a very careful manner. (Unlike Love Actually, a British film that is as contrived as it is sickeningly patronizing in it's presumption that anyone would find it remotely watchable).

I look forward to watching Leigh's "Secrets and Lies" next!

9 out of 10