Considering the recent political shifts in Northern Ireland, this feels particularly relevant. Leigh’s latest television films for the BBC were already noteworthy, but here he both directs and, most notably, crafts a script that explores the divisions of 1980s Belfast with considerable subtlety. We see two couples—one representing unionist views, the other nationalist—portrayed with fairness, though perhaps not ou…

It struck me that I’d seen this film some time back, given how many Mike Leigh movies we own, but even though certain moments seemed familiar, I didn't remember enough to detract from the enjoyment of watching it again. The movie unfolds at a deliberate pace, particularly when you consider the backdrop of the Irish conflict, and that seems to have bothered some critics. However, I’m generally happy to settle in fo…