Life Is Sweet (Criterion Collection) Blu-ray

Life Is Sweet (Criterion Collection) is a Mike Leigh film presented on Blu-ray, with a restored 2K digital transfer and supplementary material listed for this edition. Its family-focused story blends humour and melancholy, customer feedback is positive about the acting and realism, though enjoyment and the story are not universal.

At a glance

Mike Leigh’s portrait of a working-class family in a suburb north of London, featuring Alison Steadman, Jim Broadbent, Claire Skinner and Jane Horrocks.
Extras listed include a new audio commentary by Leigh, a 1991 interview recording and five short films written and directed by him.
The edition also lists a new essay by critic David Sterritt and new cover art by Eric Skillman.

Price

£13.99Save 39%

Reference price: ~~£22.99~~

Price checked: 12 Nov 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

The restored 2K transfer and specified DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack give the edition clear-format detail for buyers seeking a Blu-ray presentation.
Several director-related extras, including an audio commentary, interview recording and five short films, add material beyond the feature.

Technical specifications

15 specifications

Disc and film
Format	Blu-ray
Number of discs	1
Run time	1 hour and 43 minutes
Age rating	Suitable for 15 years and over
Language	English
Director	Mike Leigh
Actors	Alison Steadman, Claire Skinner, Jim Broadbent, Timothy Spall

Edition features
Film transfer	New, restored 2K digital film transfer
Audio	2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
Subtitles	English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

Release and packaging details
Release date	16 Feb. 2026
Studio	Spirit Entertainment
Country of origin	Austria
Package dimensions and weight	16.9 x 13.5 x 1.7 cm; 100 g
Aspect ratio	Unknown

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Mike Leigh fans and collectors interested in a Blu-ray edition with director commentary, interview material and short films.
Viewers drawn to character-led British family drama with both humour and melancholy.

Less suited to

Buyers looking specifically for a 4K UHD edition, the listed media format is Blu-ray.
Viewers who prefer consistently upbeat or broadly entertaining stories, customer feedback reports mixed reactions to enjoyment and the story.

Life Is Sweet (Criterion Collection) Blu-ray · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.3 / 5 · 221 ratings

5 stars65%65%
4 stars16%16%
3 stars9%9%
2 stars2%2%
1 star8%8%

Customer feedback praises the film’s quality, acting, humour and realism, with specific appreciation for Mike Leigh’s direction and Timothy Spall’s performance. Other reactions are mixed: some customers say they could not watch to the end, and sensitivity and story also divide opinion. The 4.3 out of 5 rating from 221 ratings is broadly favourable, but the split responses suggest the film’s subdued, character-focused tone may not suit every viewer, the rating does not explain why people differed.

Positive themes

Customers praise the film’s quality, acting, humour and realism, Mike Leigh’s direction and Timothy Spall’s performance are specifically highlighted.

Mixed feedback

Enjoyment is mixed, with some customers unable to watch the film to the end.
Feedback on the film’s sensitivity and storyline is mixed.

Frequently asked questions

What extras are listed for this edition?

The listing names a new audio commentary by Mike Leigh, a recording of a 1991 interview, five short films with a new audio introduction, English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing, a new essay and new cover art.

Is this a 4K UHD disc?

No 4K UHD format is stated. The listed media format is Blu-ray, with a new restored 2K digital film transfer.

What is the film about?

It is described as an intimate, sometimes funny and sometimes melancholy portrait of a working-class family in a suburb north of London.