High Hopes

The film delicately explores the lives of Shirley and Cyril, a loving working-class couple in London, as they navigate the challenges presented by their social circumstances and family dynamics. As Cyril's forgetful mother ages and struggles with memory lapses, the couple must also contend with her ghastly upper-middle-class neighbors and Cyril's pretentious sister and her philandering husband.Longing for a baby to complete their family, Shirley faces resistance from her husband, Cyril, who is deeply influenced by his Marxist readings and dreams of a perfect world. This tension is further complicated when Cyril's mother accidentally locks herself out and must seek the assistance of her snobbish neighbors. In the midst of these trials, Cyril's sister Valerie throws a disastrous surprise 70th birthday party for their mother, adding another layer of chaos to their already tumultuous lives.Amidst this whirlwind of events, it is Shirley who holds the couple and family together with her steadfast resilience. As they navigate these comedic misadventures, there's a glimmer of hope that Cyril may eventually come around to the idea of a baby, signified by his Dutch cap being set aside.