Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a discussion about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. In this episode, David and guest Ethan Magnan review Hard Labour, directed by Mike Leigh. The film is part of the Criterion Channel streaming library and included in Mike Leigh at the BBC, a bundle of eight teleplays he directed for the British Broadcasting Corporation between 1973-1984. David and Ethan also discuss Hard Truths, also directed by Mike Leigh, which premiered at festivals in 2024, opening in the USA and the UK in January 2025.