Naked

UPC: 715515083812

Studio: Criterion

MPAA Rating: NR   Contains:[Violence, Nudity, Adult Situations, Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children, Profanity, Drug Content]

Summary: A scathing look at Britain in the post-Thatcher era, Mike Leigh's Naked stars David Thewlis as Johnny, an unemployed layabout with a philosophical bent and a nasty edge. In the opening scene, he's committing rape, and before the credits even roll, he's also stolen a car to flee from Manchester to the London home of an old girlfriend (Lesley Sharp). The film's loose, sprawling narrative follows Johnny as he randomly makes his way through the streets of London, encountering a homeless Scottish couple, a nightwatchman and a series of women whom he charms and discards. He lives defiantly outside of the system, refusing to conform to the demands of anyone (including himself). ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

Category: Drama

Awards: Alexander Korda Award – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Actor – Cannes Film Festival Best Director – Cannes Film Festival Best Foreign Film – Independent Spirit Awards Best Actor – National Society of Film Critics Best Actor – New York Film Critics Circle Film Presented – Telluride Film Festival

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

Naked

Format: Blu-ray

Release Date: 07/12/2011

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: DS Dolby Surround (4.0), DHMA null

Runtime: 131 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Region: Blu-ray region A (North America, Central America, South America, Japan, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia)

Craig Butler

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. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Ewen Bremner  Actor 
Robert Putt  Actor 
Peter Whitman  Actor 
Lesley Sharpe  Actor 
Sandra Voe  Actor 
Toby Jones  Actor 
Mike Leigh  Actor 
Elizabeth Berrington  Actor 
David Foxxe  Actor 
Simon Channing-Williams  Producer 
Andrew Dixon  Composer (Music Score) 
Mike Leigh  Director 
Mike Leigh  Screenwriter 
Andrew Dickson  Composer (Music Score) 
David Thewlis  Actor 
Lesley Sharp  Actor 
Katrin Cartlidge  Actor 
Greg Cruttwell  Actor 
Claire Skinner  Actor 
Peter Wight  Actor 
Susan Vidler  Actor 
Deborah MacLaren  Actor 
Gina McKee  Actor 

Country: UK