High Hopes helps one understand two different stereotypes London dealt with in the late 1980s. Mike Leigh introduces two couples Cyril and Shirley who are Marxists. Also you have Valeria, Cyril's sister and her husband Martin who portray as well off. Mrs. Bender contributes very much to the plot of the movie, she is the mother of Cyril and Valeria.
At the beginning of the movie you have Wayne someone who is seeking a job in London. He runs into Cyril because he is lost and needs help with directions, Cyril with positive intentions welcomes him into his home and helps him out. After Wayne fails looking for a job Cyril received him at his home with open arms. Later Wayne leaves, which is really confusing and you ask yourself "why did Leigh input this scene?" but later Mrs. Bender forgets her keys to her home and she knocks on her neighbors door who is this young rich couple seeking for help however, Laetitia asks many questions to poor elder lady standing in her door way swerving from having to deal with her. After all, she realizes she must welcome Mrs. Bender in her home. These two situations are similar however each couple treats it differently. The young rich couple rather not deal with poor people.
The main point of this movies is between the Cyril and Valeria's relationships. Cyril and Shirley are a poor couple who are happy with each other and are very humble about it. Than you have Valeria and Martin who seem to be rich and have a great life but we see in a scene that Martin cheats on his wife consistently. From this you can say money does not buy happiness. At the end of the movie you have Valerie crying in her bathtub because she threw this well put together party for her mother and Mrs. Bender did not enjoy it. Leigh wants the audience to know materialism is not happiness. Mrs. Bender enjoyed more the presence of her daughter and son on her birthday.
I definitely agree with the theme of the film. Although many get caught up in attempting to be rich and famous, it ultimately does not guarantee happiness. Valerie and Martin are a perfect example of this, while Cyril and Shirley are humble individuals willing to help others despite their low socioeconomic status.
ReplyDeleteHey Oscar,
ReplyDeleteThe beginning also made me question Wayne's involvement in the film, however one sees the difference in welcoming people into their homes. What little Cyril and Sheryl have they are willing to help a stranger in need, yet others who have more are unwilling to help.
Hi Oscar,
ReplyDeleteLeigh’s deliberate comparison between Cyril and Shirley's actions towards Wayne to the Boothe-Braines' towards Mrs. Bender completely flew over my head! I, too, at first questioned the inclusion of the character of Wayne, but after reading your review, I realized that it was Leigh’s way of comparing how the working class treats other people to how the higher class treats those below their own social class. Wayne repeatedly comes back to stay with Cyril and Shirley, and they both welcome him with open arms, while Lætitia Boothe-Braine acts as though a taking few hours out of her time helping Mrs. Bender was a colossal burden, reiterating the idea that associating with anyone of a lower class is a burden.