The Search for John Gissing (2001)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Mike Binder

Writer:

Mike Binder (writer)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Matthew Barnes is a young exec on the move up who finds himself a pawn in corporate in-fighting when he's sent to London to oversee a merger...

Plot Keywords:

Merger | London | Brother | Chair | Pregnant

Cast

Mike Binder	...	Matthew Barnes
Tim Briggs	...	Hotel Clerk
Allan Corduner	...	Francois Fuller
Janeane Garofalo	...	Linda Barnes
Frank Harper	...	Dexter
Caroline Holdaway	...	Gissing's Secretary
James Lance	...	Donny the Janitor
Lee Oakes	...	Cousin Carl Gissing
Angela Pleasence	...	Johanna Frielduct
Alan Rickman	...	John Gissing
Juliet Stevenson	...	Gwenyth Moore
Owen Teale	...	Giles Hanagan
Nigel Terry	...	Alan Jardeen
Sonya Walger	...	Sister Mary
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
David Reid	...	Man Who Wants to be a Woman (as Dave Reid)

Runtime:

91 min (AFI Film Festival)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:Not Rated

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Greentrees Films

Quotes:

[first lines]
Matthew Barnes: The fact that we weren't met at Heathrow was frustrating, I can't deny that. But when you work for one of these international conglomerates like I do you kind of expect that every now and then there'll be a paper jam that takes your life along with it.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Creating 'The Upside of Anger' (2005) (V)

Blake Edwards meets Woody Allen

The Search for John Gissing is a fast paced film which would probably have been more suited to an audience in the 1970s than the modern day. The first 20 minutes or so were for this watcher, quite mortifying with Mike Binder doing what to all intent purposes seemed to be a representation of Woody Allen. That is fine if you like Woody Allen, but I don't...

However, after the opening sequence, the film picked up considerably with the best comedic scenes being reserved (seperately) for Alan Rickman and Janeane Garofalo. In fact, it was a shame they had so few scenes together as it would probably have made the film a lot funnier. Alan Rickman seems to be enjoying the migration from much-loved villain and period actor to contemporary comedian and he successfully adds a lot of warmth and humour to this film. Janeane Garofalo was under-utlised in this film, seeming to only play an exasperated straightman to the angst of Mike Binder's character. The rest of the supporting cast were great - although I would love to meet a London taxi driver which will take someone all over London for 35 pounds...

All in all, this is a warm and funny movie which will probably not get the recognition it deserves. However, this is a must see for Alan Rickman fans as he really is very good in this comedic role!