Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Language, mature themes in hopeful British comedy drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Life Is Sweet
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In LIFE IS SWEET, Wendy (Alison Steadman), her husband, Andy (Jim Broadbent), and two adult daughters Nicola (Jane Horrocks) and Natalie (Claire Skinner), live in a working-class London suburb. Wendy is a shop assistant and part-time dance teacher, who always sees the bright side of life. Andy is unhappy in his kitchen prep job and is distracted by his latest dream—to turn a dilapidated food truck into a thriving business. Though each of them, including their daughters, have problems of their own, they do their best to support their friend Aubrey (Timothy Spall) in his dream of opening a fancy French restaurant on the local high street—which serves everything from barely drinkable wine to pork cysts.
Is It Any Good?
There's a warmth and hopefulness amid the arguing and drudgery of Mike Leigh's likable 1990 comedy about a dysfunctional but loving working-class family. Life Is Sweet perfectly captures the way many of the characters in the movie are able to appreciate the small everyday things that keep us all going. Steadman's Wendy in particular shows a single-mindedness to keep things light and her family on track, managing even the most difficult of situations with casual ease. Spall is on form in a perfectly suited role full of eccentricity and character acting, and also of hilariously misplaced optimism. But the film, however funny, doesn't sidestep the director's characteristic darkness and social commentary. Scenes where Wendy finally breaks out of sheer frustration that her daughter's depression and eating disorder are one of the few things she can't fix, and an uncharacteristically honest conversation between the sisters both make an emotional impact. Viewers who are already fans of the director will likely enjoy this slightly lesser-known work, and it makes for a very watchable introduction for those new to his style.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of hope in Life Is Sweet. From Wendy's cheerful demeanor to Andy and Aubrey's career dreams, and even Nicola's awareness that she needs help—how did each character show hope in their own way?
How did the movie treat the themes of mental health and eating disorders? Did you think it approached the subjects with care and complexity? Did it use either to generate laughs? Is it OK to do both? Where might you turn if you or someone you know was struggling with either of these?
Talk about some of the language used. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie? Is a certain level of language expected in a movie like this? If so, why?
How did the characters show perseverance? How did moments where they communicated more openly have a strong impact? Why are perseverance and communication important character strengths?
How were drinking and smoking depicted in the film? Were they glamorized? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 25, 1991
- On DVD or streaming : April 22, 2011
- Cast : Alison Steadman , Jim Broadbent , Timothy Spall
- Director : Mike Leigh
- Studio : October Films
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Dads , Moms , Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Perseverance
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and a scene of sensuality
- Last updated : May 27, 2026
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