4. Nil By Mouth (1997)
As amusing as watching Salo, Nil By Mouth was Gary Oldham's directorial debut in which he painted a raw, realistic and highly depressing portrait of a dysfunctional, impoverished family living in council flat in London. There is not a great deal of plot in this one, being more of a character story. The main figure is Ray, an abusive drunk who picks fights with his wife Valerie's brother who is stuck in a heroin addicted existence. Valerie is Ray's punching bag. There are distressingly brutal scenes of domestic violence in the film. Valerie just believes that children should be raised by both parents and she should make the effort to be with Ray. Her mother Janet watches it all unfold in resigned despair. Boasting a stellar cast - Kathy Burke as Valerie and Ray Winstone as Ray - the film doesn't really go to a certain climax or plot contrivance - it is merely Oldham documenting the life and hardships of this family. As an invocation of domestic violence, it is all too believable and traumatic, yet Kathy Burke's Valerie shows her own steely resolve in the film - a determination not to be beaten (pardon the dreadful pun) no matter what crap flies her way. Ray Winstone's character is not a one sided woman beating baddie - he has his share of demons and he fights (a mainly losing) battle to overcome then. Oldham created a truly great film in Nil By Mouth, he didn't go out to impress anybody or win any Oscars. His was a deeply personal project which I cannot recommend highly enough - except for the fact that it is dark and uncompromising which may not be to your taste, but as you are reading a list about uncompromising films, you might well 'enjoy' it.