Totally agree, as for being a tough watch I put it in the same category as Requiem for a Dream which is the toughest watch I’ve ever experienced.I've decided that I am going to work my way through all of Mike Leighs films, many of which I have seen already. I have just watched 'Naked' (1993). Basically the story of an apparently nihilistic Mancunian adrift in London. It is a tough watch at times (not boring but unpleasant in a voyeuristic way) and there were some points where I nearly gave up. Not everyones cup of tea but a wonderful film nonetheless.