Career Girls

Career Girls is a poignant 1997 drama film directed by Mike Leigh that employs his characteristic close look at the lives of ordinary individuals. This distinct British film centres on Hannah Mills (Katrin Cartlidge) and Annie Marsh (Lynda Steadman), who reconnect over the course of a weekend six years after they shared a flat together during their university years. The film explores their friendship and personal growth, while making the odd return to the past via skillfully woven flashback sequences.

Hannah and Annie are undeniably the lifeblood of the film, their friendship forms the core around which other subplots and characters revolve. These are women of contrasting personalities, with Hannah being a 'tough talker' estate agent in London, while Annie is a demure, introspective individual working as a health worker in their native northern England. It is an examination of circumstances and settings that shape us and the bonds that last despite the process of transformation.

Throughout the movie, the narrative toggles seamlessly between the youthful past and the somewhat unsettled present. Leigh's masterful direction in blending past and present together offers us gritty, intimate insights into the personal history and evolution of the two main characters. In a society that often overlooks the average people grappling with personal issues, Career Girls offers a cinematic mirror that reflects the true-to-life struggles, victories, and quotidian routine of its characters.

Laced with elements of romance and comedy, Career Girls is not simply a tale of two women but also a look into the lives of the people that they encounter throughout their journey. These characters—played by actors including Kate Byers—not only challenge the protagonists but also add layers to the story, providing different perspectives and reinforcing the film's prime focus on relationships and social ruminations.

Career Girls is underscored by strong performances by Katrin Cartlidge and Lynda Steadman. Their ability to portray the two characters, both in their youthful exuberance and their quieter, more matured stage, is nothing short of remarkable. Cartlidge comically portrays the straight-talking and fiercely independent, Hannah, while Steadman perfects the role of introverted Annie whose character grows from strength to strength. Their performances are raw, authentic, and laden with an emotional depth that contributes to keeping the audience engaged in their shared universe.

A compelling feature of Career Girls is Leigh's ability to create organic dialogues, which highly contributes to the film's naturalistic style. The trials and tribulations, joys and successes of Hannah and Annie are unraveled through casual conversations, indirect allusions, and awkward silences, revealing their nuanced relationship dynamics, their aspirations, their disappointments, and their acceptance of growing up.

Moreover, Career Girls is also notable for its take on mental health issues, a subject often stigmatized or handled with clichés in cinematic narratives. Through Annie's character, the film subtly talks about the therapeutic process leading to personal growth and stability, breaking stereotypes, and advocating for a more compassionate outlook.

The music by Marianne Jean-Baptiste is another element that stands out in the film, injecting an air of nostalgia, rediscovery, and warmth into the narrative. Along with its stellar performances, this music sets the emotional tone of the film and never oversteps, only enhances, the scenes and dialogues.

Career Girls is a film that stands out in the way it celebrates the uncelebrated, portraying a vivid picture of adulthood and evolving relationships. It's an intimate snapshot of the bonds that are formed during our formative years and the impact these relationships have in shaping our lives. It's a testament to Mike Leigh's nuanced filmmaking, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and everyday conversations, witty banter, self-doubt, and introspection are brought center stage.

This Mike Leigh film is not just about friendship, it's a poignant journey depicting strength, togetherness, and optimism in the face of life's adversities. Career Girls is a film that is relatable and accessible, featuring characters that could be sitting next to you on the bus, living next door, or walking past you on the street, making it not only a film but a social commentary worth its stature in the annals of '90s British cinema.