Abigail's Party (1977)
Beverly wears low-cut dresses, too much make-up, and has a reputation as a man-eating monster. She turns a social get-together between married couples into a virtual time-bomb of emotional tension.
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Memorable, crazy movie
The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
I reckon that this is the sort of movie that gets film students all excited. There are so many levels to this flick that you could probably go on for days pulling apart and examining the different characters, relationships and commentaries. But I recommend you watch this film purely for entertainment purposes - it's great. The actors are believable, the story is simplistic (yet so effective) and the period touches are great - because this is essentialy a period drama (the period being very firmly in the 1970s). For a film to have such little plot yet remain so compelling is testament to each and every element that makes up this movie. Watch it.
Abigail's party is a tremendous piece of drama that was originally developed through a process of improvisation. It is hilariously funny but at the same time deeply moving and the tension created on stage is amongst the most painful I have ever witnessed. Mike Leigh, as a director, clearly has an amazing ability to achieve fantastic performances from his actors. The play, about an awkward drinks gathering, hosted by the atrocious Beverley (Alison Steadman), explores the intricacies of the social order in Britain and the pretentious aspirations of the lower middle class. With a heavy dose of Demis Rusoss, quite a few Gin an' Tonics, a cheesy pineapple stick and a dramatic climax - Abigail's Party is a much-watch. It may be a little dated but it still has a cult following and I hear that people today hold Abigail's Party parties:- So it must be good!
I saw this first time round, and it's a once seen/never forgotten experience. Yes, THAT good. The TV version has the feel of the stage play it was, with all the action taking place in the living room of the obnoxious Beverly and her equally obnoxious husband.In the first few seconds, Beverly, expecting the arrival of her guests, puts on the Donna Summer record Love To Love You Baby (which SHE likes, to hell with what the guests might like). Only it isn't Donna Summer, but one of those cheap 49 pence Woolworth cover version albums so prevalent in the seventies. Immediately, the mood is set.The amazing thing about this play is that one feels throughout that one is intruding on what one should not be seeing. There is definitely that fly on the wall feel, but just try and look away. This is compelling viewing, no matter how far your eyes widen - and they will - as things progress. Even the more subtle touches (such as Angie's tight necklace, with the heart pendant that bobs up and down as she speaks) add light humor to the pervasive dark humor. There are too many classic moments in this one-off to even list, that good it is. This is a British TV gem.
This was the second Mike Leigh film I saw. I was looking for a video to rent to watch during an evenings baby-sitting and I came across 'Abigails Party'.I saw that it was devised and directed by Mike Leigh('Grown Ups ) 1980. As I had really enjoyed that I decided to hire this one.As soon as It started I knew I was going to like it. It was just like 'Grown Ups', very funny in a life like way. They were all a bit strange (except for Sue ) Beverly walked all over her husband and he let her, Angie made her husband look stupid by talking for him all the time, you could see he was irritated but he sat there bottling it all up. They were arguing about the sort of things that are often argued about all the time like what music to play. Sue was the quiet one who appeared to be happy to fit in with what ever they did. This play was cleverly titled,Abigail was never seen. She was across the road having her own Party her Mum ,Sue was over here to keep out the way.Actress Alison Steadman has real talent for forming characters, she has been in many Mike Leigh films and is so different you wouldn't recognize herMy friends arrived home early from their night out and ended up watching it with us and we all enjoyed it.