Nil by Mouth is a 1997 British drama film written and directed by Gary Oldman in his directorial debut. The film explores the gritty and brutal reality of working-class life in London, focusing on the impact of alcoholism, drug addiction, and domestic violence on a family.
Raymond is a heavy drinker and a violent abuser, often physically assaulting his wife Val and emotionally manipulating her into staying with him. When Val's brother Billy becomes addicted to heroin, he is forced to leave home, becoming homeless and struggling to survive on the streets.
As the family struggles to keep their lives together, they are forced to deal with the harsh realities of poverty, addiction, and violence. Val and her mother Janet try to hold the family together, but are constantly thwarted by Raymond's violent outbursts.
In a particularly disturbing scene, Raymond beats Val so badly that she ends up in the hospital. While there, she meets a kind and caring nurse who helps her see a way out of her abusive relationship.
Throughout the film, the characters struggle with their inner demons, battling addiction, poverty, and violence in a relentless cycle that seems impossible to break. Despite the bleakness of the story, the film ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that even in the darkest places, there is always a glimmer of hope for redemption.