grown ups (mike leigh, 1980)

one of the finest of the films that mike leigh produced for the bbc early in his career, grownups focuses on the relationship between dick and mandy, a young, newlywed couple whose marital tensions are exacerbated by those around them, including their nextdoor neighborwho just so happens to their stern exteacherand gloria, mandys cringeinducingly oblivious sister, whose constant presence becomes a source of immense irritation. in true leigh fashion, things come to a head in a climax that is brilliantly funny and heartbreaking at the same time.