This is one of those rare experiences where honesty finds its brilliance. The film is vocal, vulgar, and has no filter, yet is executed monumentally well. Hard Truths is a dark comedy that is perfect for The Chicago International Film Festival. The characterizations are superb. Written and directed by Mike Leigh, the writing that is part tragedy part comedy are a recipe for many laughs as well as moments which transition to seriousness.

The film focuses on Pansy (played by Marianne Jeanne-Baptiste), who is trying to navigate her own life and struggles. The setting is the United Kingdom. Pansy is vocal and tells the truth without holding back as she keeps fighting to make a point. The story is a portrait of a strong-willed African American woman in an English setting. She is trying to help her depressed son Moses (played by Tuwaine Barrett) while at the same time dealing with other conflicts in her family. The twist to this dark comedy is that the problem is Pansy.

The film is about navigating reality and facing consequences, but also about how society reacts when not everyone is on the same page. The cultural dynamics explore many different rituals and difficult scenarios. It is a joyful rollercoaster that feels bipolar, but the writing is successful at turning the negative into an attention-grabbing work of art. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.