Family Life Reviews

I already saw this movie but since it was ages ago and since it was available on Netflix, I was quite eager to check it out again. Well, after all these years, I thought I did forget most about it but, after a few mins, I remembered right away why I loved this movie so much at the time and actually still do. Indeed, ever since I discovered his work in the 90's, I became a big fan of Ken Loach and, in my opinion, even though it seems to be rather forgotten, it is in fact easily one of his best movies. The most intriguing thing that I didn't notice the first time around was that they keep mentioning an abortion which might have been forced on this young woman but, eventually, you're never quite sure if it actually really took place after all. In fact, it seems that she was already struggling even before that. I also believe that the way the parents were portrayed was actually so well done and very well nuanced. Indeed, sure, this environment was really toxic for her but I don't think it was necessarily the parents's fault. Anyway, the whole thing was terribly bleak and really heartbreaking and I thought it was very disturbing but still really impressive. I mean, if you think that 'Girl, interrupted' gives a realistic view of a psychiatric institution, you'd better watch this flick. I have to admit that it was all rather depressing to behold and you'd probably feel like sh*t after watching this but it is always better than the sugarcoated garbage coming from Hollywood. To conclude, even though it is pretty much forgotten and probably one of the most obscure movies directed by Ken Loach, it is actually really good and it is definitely worth a look.