"Nil by Mouth" is not so much a story as it is a slice-of-miserable-life snapshot of the lives of a working class English family which brings new meaning to the word "dysfunctional". Gritty and harsh, this film swirls like a cyclone of anger, violence, anguish, and regret around a handful of adult characters who suffer from alcohol abuse, spousal abuse, drug abuse, etc. presented in a drab and tightly cropped format with brutal reality. A worthy first directorial outing for actor Gary Oldman, this bitter drama offers some fine performances and startling reality but may not reward viewers with a strong enough plot to make the two hour watch worthwhile. For realists only. (B+)
Review of Nil by Mouth
