Naked (1993)

The critic finds Naked one of the most complex and audacious British films of the early nineties, a striking piece of cinema that articulates what is wrong with Thatcher-era society through the life of an intelligent but deeply cynical and misogynistic Mancunian drifter. He singles out David Thewlis's baleful, brilliant performance and Leigh's ability to mix pessimism with humour and personal observation as the film's great strengths.

The critic calls the film a masterpiece of dark humour and horribly accurate observation, a nightmare journey through a twilight London of the excluded. He singles out David Thewlis's brilliant performance in the trickiest role for praise, while noting some rambling scenes.

The review calls the film hilarious yet sometimes hard to stomach and Leigh's most troubling and intriguing work since Meantime, while also praising it as his most cinematic to date. It singles out the outstanding cast, especially David Thewlis's virtuoso performance, for the film's cruel energy, wit and power.

The critic finds Naked disturbing and cruel in its depictions of sexual violation and misogynist rhetoric but insists it merits serious consideration because it is directed by Mike Leigh. The review singles out the film's sexual politics and its shift toward European art-cinema territory as points of both controversy and interest.

The critic finds Naked a sour departure from Leigh's previous work, dominated by an artificial and nihilistic central character whose worldview goes largely uncontested. He singles out the film's length, untruthful characterizations, and emphasis on male cruelty and disaffection for complaint.

The critic praises the remarkable, unnerving character study of Johnny as a mesmerizing portrait that illuminates the complexities of life through its double lens on reality. It highlights the searing performance by Thewlis and Leigh's daring, intense direction.

The critic calls it a brilliant film that places Leigh in dark new territory, centered on the caustic and abusive Johnny. Thewlis delivers a staggeringly fine performance amid a cast of eccentrics and sharp dialogue.

The critic describes it as a stygian comedy on social angst with sudden mood shifts from comedy to violence to a moving love story, dwarfing Leigh's prior work with a resonant script and strong ensemble. Thewlis anchors a tour de force amid Brit eccentrics.