Mike Leigh and Marianne Jean-Baptiste on the difficult woman at the center of 'Hard Truths'
Briefly

Mike Leigh discusses the decision to center the film on Pansy, stating, "What's interesting is the huge number of people who've said, I know a Pansy. Oh, that's my mother. That's my aunty. That's my uncle. That's me, some people say. So that's as good a reason as any to make her the focus of the film." This illustrates how relatable and universal Pansy's difficult nature is for audiences.
Marianne Jean-Baptiste, reflecting on her character, says, "I'd say a bit of both, actually. I mean, she's obviously in a lot of pain, but she is also insufferable." This duality highlights the complexity of Pansy's character and her struggles.
Leigh intends for Pansy's experiences to not just evoke pain, noting, "The film, I hope, is painful when it gets to it, but funny as well. I mean, a lot of what happens and a lot of what she comes out with is - though she's not aware of it, 'cause Pansy has no sense of humor at all - but it is hilarious." This reveals the layered nature of the film's approach towards its themes.
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