It’s remarkable to think that even in a country like the United Kingdom—often considered the birthplace of democracy—voting rights were limited for many men just two centuries ago, and large portions of cities lacked any political voice. Mike Leigh's approach can feel somewhat forceful at times, but he does provide moments of genuine sadness as we see the poverty experienced by working-class people in northwest Engla…

This is a well-made historical film, but it doesn’t possess the same emotional resonance as some of Mike Leigh’s other works. That's understandable, because his films haven't previously been considered grand in scale. I frequently mention in my reviews that I tend to be more tolerant than many viewers when it comes to movies with a deliberate pace. And, given that I write novels and include substantial amounts of …