NAKED (1993, United Kingdom, 126 min.), directed by Mike Leigh; screenplay by Mike Leigh; cinematography by Dick Pope; production design by Alison Chitty; sound by Ken Weston; music by Andrew Dickson; edited by Jon Gregory; with David Thewlis (Johnnie), Lesley Sharp (Louise), Katrin Cartlidge (Sophie), Greg Cruttwell (Sebastian/Jeremy), Claire Skinner (Sandra), Peter Wight (Brian thr Night Watchman), Ewen Bridler (Archie), Susan Vidler (Maggie), Deborah MacLaren (Woman in Window), Gina McKee (Cafe Girl), Carolina Gianmetta (Masseuse), Elizabeth Berrington (Giselle), Darren Tunstall (Poster Man).

Please jot down notes to each of the questions, and answer three in detail (approx.150 words each).

1. Think about the title of the film. On how many levels does it make sense as the title of this film?

2. The film opens with Johnny in an alley with an unknown woman. What is established here at the beginning of the film?

3. Although there are a few daytime scenes in Naked, most of it takes place at night. Why? Do you agree with this decision?

4. What do we know about Johnny, his background, his family, his education, his interests? How do we know these things?

5. Following up on the above, what is the source of Johnny's anger, his disgust with life and with himself?

6. Why do women find Johnny attractive? Does he have any redeeming qualities?

7. The film is structured according to the tradition of the "picaresque" novel (the classic

example is the great Spanish novel, Don Quixote)--we essentially follow a "hero" as he moves from encounter to encounter. Consider each of these encounters: with Louise, with Sophie, with Archie and Maggie, with Brian, with the woman in the window, with the "cafe girl," with Sebastian, with Sandra. How does Johnny react to each of them, and what does each encounter tell us about him?

8. Although for the most part, these characters exist to shed light on Johnny, they are also interesting characters in their own right, with histories and complexities that are only hinted at in the film. Which do you find most interesting, and why?

9. Throughout the film the point-of-view focuses on Johnny; the only exceptions (or nearly so) are the scenes that follow Jeremy/Sebastian. What is the point of this particular subplot?

10. The film has been heavily criticized, particularly in Britain, for its apparent misogyny (i.e., hatred of women, debased portrait of women). What do you think of this criticism?

11. One of the most important elements in creating the mood of the film is Andrew Dickson's music (which Mike Leigh has called "relentless"). What is important about this film's use of music?

12. How would you characterize the film's presentation of British society in 1993? Discuss the film's social vision.

13. What do you think of the film's ending? Does it end the way you would have expected? Is this ending appropriate?

14. From the readings, we learn of the unique improvisatory method used by Mike Leigh, during which director and actors work together to build the characters and their scenes. To what extent does Naked feel "improvised"? Are there any scenes that seem particularly spontaneous and "real" to you?

15. What's the point of this film? Why make a film like Naked?

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