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Nil by Mouth (1997) Reviews

Nil by Mouth (1997)
Member Rating:  
A working class British family struggles with their demons -- sometimes violently -- in this intensely emotional drama that marked the directorial debut of actor Gary Oldman. Janet (Laila Morse) is a widowed factory worker who shares her home with her aged mother Kath (Edna Dore), her daughter Valerie (Kathy Burke), her son Billy (Charlie Creed-Miles), and Valerie's husband Ray (Ray Winstone). Ray is an unstable and out-of-work alcoholic who often uses his pregnant wife as a punching bag, while Billy is a drug addict whose habit has led Janet to throw him out of the house more then once, only to take him back later. Janet is uncertain about what to do when Ray's latest tirade sends Valerie to the emergency room, and Janet also has to come to terms with the financial and emotional costs of Billy's addiction. Kathy Burke, Ray Winstone, and Laila Morse all received prizes from the 1997 British Independent Film Awards for their work in Nil by Mouth; Burke also received Best Actress honors at that year's Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Director(s):
Gary Oldman
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(11 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Nicholas M.

US viewers, make sure to use the subtitle function otherwise it's tough going understanding the dialect. We had a hard time following things for a while. The movie is about an an underclass family and the crime, drugs and violence that accompany them. A dismal story, very well acted without descending into hopelessness `a la "Requiem for a Dream " . The excellent sound track with original material by Eric Clapton is reason enough to see this. It's hard to call "Nil by Mouth" entertaining but it's certainly worth watching.

Yes   |   No


Tommy T.

Hard to watch, hard to understand the characters involved, hard to like even one of them. This is a breathtakingly painful film that left me feeling more gut-punched than entertained--and I like it that way. "Nil by Mouth," a brutal look at lower class life in Britain, felt real. It felt sincere in an agonizing way that many films aim for but few attain. I found myself squirming uncomfortably, shaking my head in sad amazement, and shouting at the screen. If you can take your movie straight up with no sugar-coating, then grab this dirty, rough-hewn gem from Gary Oldman. And grab a bag of ice for that eye.

Yes   |   No


Antonio R.

Definitely not your typical hollywood flick. It is a Hard-hitting tale giving a tragic look at dire family dinamics. No forced happy ending on this one. Well done and intense. Great performances. Use subtitles if you find the accents hard to understand.

Yes   |   No


Eva and charles A.

I have to say this is some of the best acting I've seen in quite awhile. Very sad and brutal and very realistic. Not for everyone but still a very well done film!

Yes   |   No


Dennis W.

I really wanted to like this movie since it's the only one directed by gifted actor, Gary Oldman. But the thick Cockney accents and the lack of a central plot made this film very boring. It seemed like a bunch of incidents involving this lower class family but if you really see a good film check out the Australian made "Animal Factory".. Very disappointing since I like Oldman as an actor but perhaps his next film will be better.

Yes   |   No


Jaron L.

This movie had an interesting family dynamic. I think that everyone can relate to it, because we all know someone who is a f*** up, someone who abuses something, and the mother and wives that support them anyway...easily relatable. However, I would suggest using the subtitles (even though it is English), because the British English is a bit hard to understand for the Americans! Check it out!!

Yes   |   No


Scott W.

After 10 minutes of non-stop f-word uttered by obnoxious characters, I ejected the disk.

Yes   |   No


Kathy C.

The four letter words in this film are pervasive to a point where even I couldn't take it and shut the film off. Ray Winstone is a fabulous actor and I enjoy Laila Morse ( Gary Oldman's step sister ) in her role on Eastenders. My ears hurt after an hour of this.

Yes   |   No


Sherry C.

This movie SUCKED!!! There is no describing this film other than boring and slow and WHAT!?!?! I tried giving this movie a chance, but 2 1/2 hours is too long to wait for a movie to get better. After 1 hr and 40 mins, I gave up. Don't waste your time with this one

Yes   |   No


Carol S.

The most vile movie ever. Women using the f word as much as the men and in front of kids. And women called the c' word thru out. Shame on you Gary Oldman.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (11)
     
    Nicholas M.

    US viewers, make sure to use the subtitle function otherwise it's tough going understanding the dialect. We had a hard time following things for a while. The movie is about an an underclass family and the crime, drugs and violence that accompany them. A dismal story, very well acted without descending into hopelessness `a la "Requiem for a Dream " . The excellent sound track with original material by Eric Clapton is reason enough to see this. It's hard to call "Nil by Mouth" entertaining but it's certainly worth watching.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Tommy T.

    Hard to watch, hard to understand the characters involved, hard to like even one of them. This is a breathtakingly painful film that left me feeling more gut-punched than entertained--and I like it that way. "Nil by Mouth," a brutal look at lower class life in Britain, felt real. It felt sincere in an agonizing way that many films aim for but few attain. I found myself squirming uncomfortably, shaking my head in sad amazement, and shouting at the screen. If you can take your movie straight up with no sugar-coating, then grab this dirty, rough-hewn gem from Gary Oldman. And grab a bag of ice for that eye.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Antonio R.

    Definitely not your typical hollywood flick. It is a Hard-hitting tale giving a tragic look at dire family dinamics. No forced happy ending on this one. Well done and intense. Great performances. Use subtitles if you find the accents hard to understand.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 11 Reviews
       

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