Career Girls

Characters reunite 6 years after graduation in this psychological drama.

If famed psychologist Sigmund Freud could have met one of the characters in just one of British director Mike Leigh's films, he likely would have had material for a whole series of books.

Leigh's characters are highly neurotic (they almost make Woody Allen's characters seem normal). Members of the extended family in Leigh's previous film, the acclaimed "Secrets & Lies," seemed to be poster children for family counseling. But the two main characters in "Career Girls," his newest, best them easily in the psychological trauma department.

Ironically enough, this comedy-drama mines a lot of its humor from the fact that both Hannah (Katrin Cartlidge) and Annie (Lynda Steadman) were psychology students in college, though they could use heavy doses of therapy themselves.

"Career Girls" reunites the former roommates six years after graduation. Of the two, Annie seems to have changed the most. Not only has her disfiguring facial dermatitis cleared up, she's now confident enough to at least look someone in the eye.

However, the abrasive Hannah has managed to somewhat subdue her verbally vicious streaks, except for people who really deserve it. When Annie visits for a weekend, she even plays the gracious hostess as the two recall how they met and became friends (through a series of humorous and at-times heartbreaking flashbacks).

During the weekend, the old friends even find out the whereabouts on a couple of former roommates and a boyfriend who played the two against each other, as well as go apartment hunting for Hannah, where they shoot down a would-be high-roller who's not nearly as charming as he thinks he is.

Like Leigh's other films, things start very slowly (the thick accents at the start may daunt some audiences). Also, some scenes ramble on a little too long, and the material feels pretty skimpy — an obvious drawback following "Secrets & Lies."

Fortunately, director Leigh really plays things loosely (as a former playwright and stage director, he's often been given to improvisation), which leads to some terrific performances — as well as some really funny and touching moments.

Cartlidge, last seen in "Breaking the Waves," makes the most with what is a tough character to like (she succeeds). Steadman, in her film debut, is similarly strong, squeaky voice and all. But the film's most poignant performance is given by Mark Benton, playing Ricky, a troubled former roommate who falls on even harder times after being spurned by Annie.

"Career Girls" is rated R for profanity, some female nudity, one sex scene and a few vulgar references.