Hard Truths Movie Review

Hard Truths” Marianne Jean-Baptiste once earned an Academy Award nomination for her role in “Secrets and Lies.” Her performance in that film was exceptional, and now she, as Pansy, gives an inspirational performance of a woman beaten down by life and what it hasn’t offered. ​

Pansy’s a married woman heading toward her sixties. She’s not now, nor has she ever been noticed or appreciated when she was. Anger finally shows itself in the everyday. She can feel somewhat happy if she’s in complete control, in that not a speck of dirt can make its way into her humble abode. If she keeps her home clean, it says a lot about her, no? She wants it to say she’s above others, more than what people thought of her while growing up.

No one can walk in with their shoes on… germs. She must have complete control of the house, as well. Of her son Moses (Tuwaine Barrett) and her husband Curtley (David Webber), too. They don’t get a life unless they agree to what it will entail. She watches them with distrust, so must constantly remind them of how she feels.

She doesn’t really like Curtley, and you get the sense that he feels the same way, but they live with one another and make it work. However, she has gotten very negative lately. Director Mike Leigh takes us everywhere she goes to see how she treats people she has no choice but to encounter. She would avoid speaking to them if she could, but she can’t. There are moments of hilarity in watching her attempt to, but it’s sad to watch her try. You can’t help but chuckle.

Her sister Chantelle wants her to go to their mother’s gravesite with her. Pansy complains that Chantelle was the favorite and that their mom let her know that every day. Her sister disagrees with Pansy, but there’s no convincing her. However, as Chantelle listens, she hears a story she doesn’t remember. But that doesn’t mean it’s not true.

It isn’t long before we’re taken through a typical day with Pansy. Everyone she encounters antagonizes her, or at least she thinks they do. On purpose, of course. You feel sorry for those who run into her, but you feel sorry for her, too. You know deep down she’s not a hateful soul, and you want to comfort her. Still, she has to accept love to receive it. She doesn’t want to be treated as if she’s a child but acts like one all of the time. A line in the film is, “You have to be kind to people in order for them to be kind to you.” Sadly, Pansy won’t give anyone that chance because she cannot navigate life through her depression. That’s the hard truth of things.

The scenes at the end are deeply emotional. It’s good, but I believe parts of the story did drag out a little too long. That said, the ending may not have been exactly what you wanted to happen, the narrative works, the cast has incredible chemistry, and “Hard Truths” stands up as one of the best films of the year.