Who is your favourite Mike Leigh character? Brenda Blethyn's heartbreakingly proud mum in Secrets and Lies? Alison Steadman's Demis Roussos-loving suburbanite in Abigail's Party? Tim Spall's Aubrey in Life is Sweet, or his hangdog cab driver in All or Nothing? Phil Davis's stoner in High Hopes? Or maybe you like David Thewlis in Naked?
There are so many wonderful creations in Mike Leigh's work, so many unforgettable scenes and moments. His latest film, Happy-Go-Lucky, throws up another couple of classic Leigh folk: Sally Hawkins' Poppy, a sunny giggle of a north London girl clinging to her youth as she approaches adulthood and her thirties; and Eddie Marsan's angry, ridiculous driving instructor.
I think Mike Leigh is undervalued by British audiences. Isn't he Britain's greatest living film maker? If not, who is? Mike's work has chronicled Britain since 1971 and you can trace changes in fashion and attitude through his films. Looking back over them for this new interview and researching the clips, the very sight or sound of his characters has an almost physical effect on the heart.
So what are your top Mike Leigh moments and characters? Let me know on the blog.
Also this week, I reveal the winner of our amazing Italian holiday competition. Last week, to celebrate the release of Italian film My Brother Is an Only Child, we offered you a holiday for two in Italy, courtesy of global online accomodation specialists Wotif.com, Alitalia and Revolver Entertainment.
I wanted to know where Daniele Luchetti's My Brother Is An Only Child was set, and what other recent Italian film was also shot in the same town?
We received more than 500 entries. The answers were nearly all correct: My Brother Is An Only Child was set in Latina, a small town about 30km from Rome, and last year it was also the setting for L'Amico di Famiglia, or The Family Friend by Paolo Sorrentino.
Listen to the Film Weekly podcast to find out if you are the one lucky winner selected at random - thank you all for entering and I promise more spectacular competitions soon. Happy viewing.
Click here to listen to this week's Film Weekly podcast.
