"A Sense of History" is a British 26-minute short film from 1992, so it will have its 25th anniversary next year. It was written by actor Jim Broadbent (a while before his Oscar win) and he also plays the main character, almost only character. The director is the very successful Mike Leigh. During the entire film, we basically follow an old aristocrat telling is the story of his life. This includes several wives, relatives and what he did in general during all these years. Broadbent was in his early 40s here, but they used aging makeup on him, so he basically looks the way he looks today in reality. This film was nominated for a BAFTA, but lost to the French nominee that also won the Oscar back then. But back to this one here: I like Broadbent as an actor, but I must say his work here did very little for me. I don't think the problem was his acting, but rather the script. I really never cared at all for the guy, maybe because he was a sociopath murder, maybe because he was so full of himself or maybe just because he never really felt too authentic to me. Probably a combination of everything. Then again, it's British humor and this one I have never been too big on anyway in terms of many British comedians and comedies that are loved by everybody. Of course, there is also a drama component here. All in all, I give this one a thumbs-down. Not recommended.
Review of A Sense of History
