London Kills Me (1991)

For want of a nail a shoe was lost, for want of a shoe... a young man's life is almost lost, which is exactly what this film is all about: a man barely twenty who wants desperately to pull ... See full summary »

Director:

Hanif Kureishi

Writer:

Hanif Kureishi

Stars:

Justin Chadwick, Steven Mackintosh, Fiona Shaw

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Justin Chadwick	...	Clint Eastwood
Fiona Shaw	...	Headley
Brad Dourif	...	Hemingway the Restaurant Manager
Naveen Andrews	...	Bike
Stevan Rimkus	...	Tom Tom
Emer McCourt	...	Sylvie
Steven Mackintosh	...	Muffdiver
Tony Haygarth	...	Burns
Joseph Alessi	...	Plainclothes Policeman
David Hounslow	...	Plainclothes Policeman
Ben Peel	...	DJ at Party
Danny John-Jules	...	Black Man at Party
Oliver Kester	...	Black Thug at Party
Paudge Behan	...	White Thug at Party
Nick Dunning	...	Faulkner

Storyline

For want of a nail a shoe was lost, for want of a shoe... a young man's life is almost lost, which is exactly what this film is all about: a man barely twenty who wants desperately to pull out of London's drug world by taking a job as a waiter in a 'normal' restaurant. But to do this he must come up with a "sensible pair of shoes," an item that his homeless meanderings hasn't provided him. In fact, the shoes become a symbol of his striving to break away from those, like himself, who are caught up in the tragedy of drugs and lasciviousness which is so aptly described... sometimes graphically, always realistically... in this film.

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Plot Keywords:

three word title | claim in title | place in title | city in title | male objectification | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for drug use, language and some nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title "London Kills me" was suggested to Hanif Kureishi by David Byrne who was just coming from Madrid. In the 80's "Madrid Me Mata"(Madrid Kills Me) was a well known phrase that became popular due to the Magazine "Madrid Me Mata" created and directed by Oscar Mariné (who will later design Film posters for Spanish directors like Almodovar, Medem and De La Iglesia). Soon in the 90's the well known phrase will be used to express the love/hate relationship of certain artists with the city they live in.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Unforgiven/Mistress/Death Becomes Her/Enchanted April/London Kills Me (1992)

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Soundtracks

More Than I Know
by Leftfield
Outer Rhythm Records; Cop Con

User Reviews

I love this film

I picked it up at the video store about 10 years ago, because the title caught my eye. I was very surprised to find that the movie was very entertaining; with serious bits, but oh such funny bits too. I loved the wittiness of it. It took me a year before I was able to locate a place to purchase it. I have it in my library now and watch it every so often. I LOVE "Clint Eastwood! Justin Chadwick is perfect as Clint Eastwood.

The characters are very real, and you truly begin to feel for each one of them. Even the supporting cast gives such life to their characters. Of course Steve McIntosh is great as Muff Diver, McIntosh never disappoints with his acting.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 December 1991 (UK)

Also Known As:

London Kills Me

Filming Locations:

Trellick Tower, Golborne Road, Notting Hill, London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$16,209, 9 August 1992

Gross USA:

$170,667

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$170,667

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films, Film Four International, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color