The screenplay of Mike Leigh's moving film is set on a London housing estate over a long weekend. It stars Timothy Spall and Lesley Manville. Phil is a gentle, philosophical guy who drives a taxi. His wife Penny works on the checkout at a supermarket. Daughter Rachel cleans in a home for elderly people, and son Rory is unemployed and aggressive. Life is tough for everyone living on their estate and the joy has gone out of Phil and Penny's marriage. But when Rory falls ill and has to be rushed to hospital, they are forced to confront what ails them.