Naked ★★★ Mike Leigh's Naked 1993 (R) Existential angst in a '90s London filled with Leigh's usual eccentrics. The unemployed Johnny (Thewlis) comes to London and bunks with former girlfriend Louise (Sharp). After seducing her flatmate Sophie (Cartlidge), Johnny leaves to wander the streets, exchanging philosophical, if foul-mouthed, dialogues with a variety of odd characters. Thewlis gives an explosive performance as the calculatingly brutal and desolate Johnny. Chaotic shifts in mood from comedy to violence to love prove a challenge and the pervasive abuse of all the women characters is very disturbing. Critically acclaimed; see it as a reflection on the mess of modern England. 131m/C VHS. GB David Thewlis, Lesley Sharp, Katrin Cartlidge, Greg Cruttwell, Claire Skinner, Peter Wight, Ewen Bremner, Susan Vidler, Deborah MacLaren, Gina McKee;
Director:
Mike Leigh;
Writer:
Mike Leigh;
Writer:
Dick Pope;
Cameo:
Andrew Dickson. Cannes '93: Actor (Thewlis), Director (Leigh); N.Y. Film Critics '93: Actor (Thewlis); Natl. Soc. Film Critics '93: Actor (Thewlis).
