Naked [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

Director: Mike Leigh, Jesse Peretz Mike Leigh

Overview

Mike Leigh's raw and nasty character study of a collection of emotional cripples stars David Thewlis as Johnny, who is first seen in the dank, dark streets of Manchester, raping a woman against the side of a building. He flees the scene and travels to London to look up an old girlfriend, Louise (Lesley Sharp). After a bitter scene of verbal recriminations, Johnny engages in a violent and self-loathing relationship with Louise's roommate Sophie (Katrin Cartlidge), who inexplicably throws herself at Johnny in masochistic rage. Unable to deal with Sophie's newfound attachment to him, Johnny walks out on the relationship, heading out to the backstreets of London, where he encounters a variety of characters who are even more lost, hopeless, and self-defeating than himself.

Product Details

Release Date:	07/12/2011
UPC:	0715515083812
Original Release:	1993
Rating:	NR
Source:	Criterion Collection
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	2:11:00
Sales rank:	9,535

Special Features

Audio commentary featuring Leigh and actors David Thewlis and Katrin Cartlidge; Video interview with filmmaker Neil LaBute ; Episode of the BBC program The Art Zone in which author Will Self interviews Leigh; The Short and Curlies, a short comedy from 1987 directed by Leigh and starring Thewlis with audio commentary by Leigh; Original theatrical trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

David Thewlis	Johnny
Lesley Sharp	Louise
Katrin Cartlidge	Sophie
Greg Cruttwell	Jeremy/Sebastian
Claire Skinner	Sandra
Peter Wight	Brian
Ewen Bremner	Archie
Susan Vidler	Maggie
Elizabeth Berrington	Giselle
Deborah MacLaren	Woman In Window
Carolina Giametto	Masseuse
Gina McKee	Cafe Girl
Darren Tunstall	Poster Man
Robert Putt	Chauffeur
Peter Whitman	Mr. Halpern
David Foxxe	Tea Bar Owner
Sandra Voe	Bag Lady
Mike Leigh	Actor
Lesley Sharpe	Actor
Toby Jones	Man in Tea Bar
Rose Byrne	Actor
Ethan Hawke	Actor
Chris Dowd	Actor
Lily Brazier	Actor
Ko Iwagami	Actor
Lily Newmark	Actor
Denise Gough	Actor
Azhy Robertson	Actor
Eleanor Matsuura	Actor
Daniel Shaw	Actor
Ayoola Smart	Actor
Enzo Cilenti	Actor
Jing Lusi	Actor
Eleanor Fanyinka	Actor
Anthony Welsh	Actor
Samuel Edward-Cook	Actor
Doon Mackichan	Actor
Kiran Sonia Sawar	Actor
Niamh Algar	Actor
Charly Clive	Actor
Tori Allen-Martin	Actor

Technical Credits

Mike Leigh

Mike Leigh	Director,Screenwriter
Simon Channing-Williams	Producer
Susie Parriss	Casting
Patty Stern	Casting
Jesse Peretz	Director

Editorial Reviews

Both hailed and criticized for its bleakness and its basically brutal treatment of women, Naked is an intensely powerful and disturbing motion picture experience. Director Mike Leigh is making a pull-no-punches statement about late 20th century Britain, specifically about the manner in which social systems enable (and allegedly encourage) the strong to abuse the weak. This includes Johnny, a down-and-out drifter with a keen intellect and razor-sharp wit. Victimized by this system, he in turn takes his anger out on those weaker than he, generally women and specifically those who express feelings of warmth or concern toward him. The brutality with which Johnny (and others) treat many of the women in the film is difficult to take; indeed, much of the film is challenging to watch, as there is a rawness and hopelessness that permeates the film. This is leavened by a great deal of humor, as Johnny's brilliant mind can always come up with surprising and amusing comments; but even the humor is of a black or mean bent. Many will be turned off by all of this, but many will also find it exhilarating, thanks to David Thewlis's brilliant acting and Leigh's assured and masterly handling of the material. Thewlis gives one of the most impressive screen performances of the 1990s; his Johnny may be mean, bitter, and almost unbearably angry, but he can also be charming, witty, and even at times sympathetic. Thewlis conveys the quiet desperation that lies beneath the character's unpleasant characteristics, and makes the viewer feel for him, even as he feels repulsed. It is a fascinating portrait. Naked is often horrible to watch, but those who can do so without looking away will be amply rewarded.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler