David Thewlis, Lesley Sharp , Katrin
Cartlidge , Greg Cruttwell , Claire Skinner, Peter Wight
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).
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