Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (2002)

Director:

Shane Meadows

Writers:

Paul Fraser (written by) and
Shane Meadows (written by)

Release Date:

6 September 2002 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

A tinned spaghetti western

Plot:

After seeing his ex-girlfriend (Henderson) turn down a nationally televised marriage proposal, a small-time crook (Carlyle) returns to his hometown to try and win back her heart.

Plot Keywords:

Friend | Marriage Proposal | Money | Ex Girlfriend | Love

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Robert Carlyle	...	Jimmy
Vanessa Feltz	...	Vanessa
Ricky Tomlinson	...	Charlie
Kathy Burke	...	Carol
Vicki Patterson	...	Audience Guest
Shirley Henderson	...	Shirley
Finn Atkins	...	Marlene
Kelly Thresher	...	Donna
Rhys Ifans	...	Dek
Andrew Shim	...	Donut
Ryan Bruce	...	Emerson
Eliot Otis Brown Walters	...	Lake
Anthony Strachan	...	Jumbo (as Antony Strachan)
David McKay	...	Dougy (as David Mckay)
James Cosmo	...	Billy

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

UK | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:K-7 | Iceland:L | Singapore:NC-16 (DVD rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Norway:15 | Singapore:PG | UK:15 | USA:R | Canada:A

Filming Locations:

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

FilmFour

Trivia:

When Dek (played by Rhys Ifans) finds out that Jimmy (played by Robert Carlyle), is back in town, he proclaims to Carol: "He's only your foster brother! He could have Hannibal Lector's DNA for all we know! Rhys Ifans went on to portray Grutas, Hannibal Lector's nemesis, in Hannibal Rising.

Quotes:

Dek: I'm nothing like Jimmy.
Marlene: Jimmy left. You're leaving. What's the difference?
Dek: I don't want to go.

Movie Connections:

References The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Soundtrack:

Shoot the Moon

Engaging and funny but short on surprises.

Brilliantly observed comic scenes of working class domestic life, reminiscent of Caroline Aherne's superb 'Royle Family' sitcom, provide the backdrop for an engaging comedy-drama. All the main actors turn in typically excellent, albeit unsurprising performances: Robert Carlyle does a variation on his Scottish psycho-crim (see 'Trainspotting'), Ricky Tomlinson plays another genial but feckless Scouser (see 'The Royle Family') and Kathy Burke does her no-nonsense council-house Cockney routine (see Kathy Burke). By far the best of the ensemble is Rhys Ifans as Dek. Dek is the most rounded of the comic characters, all of whom are neatly sketched out, not just by dialogue, but by carefully chosen background details. Look out for the hub caps and model car collection in Dek's house and the cases of 'Pot Noodle' in Charlie's loo (which also serves as his office). Assured direction, a well-paced script and some very funny jokes make for a satisfying if somewhat predictable watch.