The Wide World of Shorts: A Sense of History (1992, dir. Mike Leigh, UK)
by Matt Olsen
In an effort to showcase the wide range of short film forms, previous installments in this series have discussed a handmade special effects extravaganza (Tango), a traditionally-structured horror narrative (La Cabina), and an absolute enigma (Who is on First?) This week’s selection, A Sense of History, offers another distinct approach: monologue.
The relentlessly pompous 23rd Earl of Leete, as played by Jim Broadbent, leads the audience on a guided tour of his 10,000-acre estate, accompanied only by the occasional appearance of his dog. Speaking directly to camera, he narrates his personal history as a landowner, steward, husband, and father in a linear story told across 25 unique locations. (NOTE: I didn’t actually bother to count the locations. Corrections / confirmations are unnecessary.) If the autobiography of a haughty British aristocrat registers with you as an immaculately unappealing prospect that’s probably the correct reaction but rest assured that his story is never boring. What begins as a typical tale of inherited wealth and privilege resolves into a very dark satire of the lingering remnants of British Imperialism.
Broadbent’s complete inhabitance of the character grounds the film in its own reality even as the story unfolds to reveal his, let’s say, moral aberrations. A mark of any great actor’s ability is the creation of a relatable, multi-layered personality which Broadbent achieves in the very first minutes. The Earl is impossible to absolutely define in any sort of strict terms such as good or bad. He contains a multitude of adjectives including, but not limited to: amusing, reprehensible, and pathetic. (Pathetic, in the sense of engendering pathos but absolutely not pity. Never pity.) It would be a massive omission to not mention that it’s also pitched at a broadly hilarious tenor that wouldn’t be entirely out of place in a sketch comedy revue. More than anything else, it’s a terrific comedy, especially for fans of black humor.
Jim Broadbent is, of course, one of the most accomplished film actors of this era and has appeared in several features by A Sense of History’s director, the similarly unimpeachable Mike Leigh. Among their many collaborations, this is unique in that it was not written by Leigh. In fact, this is the only film directed but not written by Leigh. Which is not to diminish his role here – every shot is thoughtfully framed and executed and the entirety of the piece builds at a consistent pace, despite the many jumps in location. Beyond his influence, this is one of those triumphant movie marriages where it seems that the perfect writer has found the perfect actor. In this case, it’s interesting to note that it’s the same person – Jim Broadbent. It’s an absolutely satisfying discovery that his writing is as wonderfully rich in language and detail as his performance.
A Sense of History is currently available on YouTube in a very good transfer.
Matt Olsen is a largely unemployed part-time writer and even more part-time commercial actor living once again in Seattle after escaping from Los Angeles like Kurt Russell in that movie about the guy who escapes from Los Angeles.