Pansy (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) is a stay-at-home housewife who leads an unhappy life. She frequently expresses her complaints and concerns to her husband, Curtley (David Webber), a plumber, and her twenty-two-year-old son, Moses (Tuwaine Barrett), who is currently unemployed and prefers to stay in his room listening to music or playing video games. In addition to her general frustrations with her surroundings, Pansy often suffers from anxiety and has various fears, including animals entering her home, such as birds or bugs.
We also get to meet her sister, Chantelle (Michele Austin), and her two daughters, Kayla (Ani Nelson) and Aleisha (Sophia Brown). Chantelle works hard in a popular hair salon, which is always bustling with activity. Besides managing business and caring for her daughters, Chantelle is preoccupied with thoughts of Pansy, especially since the anniversary of their mother’s passing is approaching. Chantelle reaches out to Pansy to invite her to visit their mother’s grave, then share a meal and a catch-up at her apartment. However, Pansy quickly comes up with excuses for being unable to attend, including various health-related issues. Fortunately, Chantelle loves her sister deeply and continues supporting Pansy, attempting to understand her struggles better.
For those who may not know, Hard Truths was written and directed by Mike Leigh, whose previous works include Naked (1993), Secrets & Lies (1996), Mr. Turner (2014), and many more. Hard Truths is a heavy drama, but the film was also often uplifting and humorous. The dramatic elements aren’t introduced immediately but emerge as Pansy reflects on her past and struggles. The more we learn about her, the more it becomes evident that there is much more to her character than one might expect at first glance.
It’s hard not to grin or chuckle at the many witty remarks that come out of Pansy’s mouth. She berates her husband for wearing shoes in the house, staff members in stores for not smiling, and so on. I loved Marianne Jean-Baptiste’s work as Pansy. She brings a vibrant energy and portrays a range of emotions, predominantly anger. Her character often speaks rapidly and loudly, combining ‘hard truths’ with other comments. The actress delivers a fantastic performance, seamlessly blending comedic moments with powerful, hard-hitting scenes that will leave audiences silent and captivated.
Pacing, however, is a different story for me. The film’s opening was excellent, and the character introductions were brilliantly executed. The second act introduced more dramatic elements, which were impactful and touching. Unfortunately, I found the film’s third act significantly weaker than the rest. Without giving away major spoilers, the pace of the third act felt slower and overly drawn out. Even more disappointing was the film’s vague and ambiguous final moments, which did not provide the satisfaction one would expect after the journey audiences have experienced. Some subplots also feel entirely unnecessary and unwarranted to the film’s core storyline, including the inclusion of Chantelle’s daughters, who are dealing with their struggles, including their work life.
Overall, Hard Truths is a tremendous comedic drama film that successfully combines humour and heartfelt moments, leaving viewers both emotional and contemplative. The story follows multiple characters, each unique in their own way, as they navigate their struggles and life issues. The film’s standout performance comes from actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Pansy, who delivers a remarkable portrayal. The movie starts excellently, and I enjoyed all the on-screen characters and their dramatic elements. However, the film’s ending did not work for me; I thought it could have been more impactful, clearer, and rewarding. Additionally, certain subplots seemed unrewarding. There is much to admire in this film, and regardless of one’s past experiences, plenty of aspects will resonate with audiences.
Hard Truths (2024) is available in Australian Cinemas starting March 6th!
7.4/10
Published: 4th March 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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