简介：Mrs.Thornley(LizSmith)leadsarathermiserableexistenceinSalford.Sheliveswithherhusband,Jim(CliffordKershaw),anightcustodianatatoyfactory,andtheirgrowndaughter,Ann(PollyHemingway).Mrs.Thornleyisamaidwhoworksforanimperiousupper-middleclasswoman,Mrs.Stone(VanessaHarris).Betweenherworkandherhomelife,itseemslikeMrs.Thornleyisalwayscooking,cleaning,andfieldingcomplaints.Jimspendsmostofhissparetimeatthepub,andisprettycoldtohiswife,drunkenlydemandingsexfromheronceaweekonthenighthe'snotworking.Jim'seffortstoingratiatehimselftohissupervisor,Mr.Shaw(KeithWashington),aremetwithastonylectureaboutdressingproperlyonthejob.Ann,meanwhile,hasbeenspendinghertimetryingtoarrangeanabortionforherfriendJulie(LindaBeckett)withthehelpofafriendlyPakistanitaxidriver,Naseem(anearlyturnbyBenKingsley).Thecouple'sson,Edward(BernardHill,whowouldlaterplayThéodeninLordoftheRings)seemstocareabouthismum,buthiswife,Veronica(AlisonSteadman,inthefirstofmanyperformancesforwriter/directorMikeLeigh),isasnobwhoconstantlyharangueshimabouthismannersandlooksdownonhisfamily.Mrs.Thornley,beatendownbyherwearyingexistence,eventuallyseekssolacefromalocalpriest.…