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Second Best

  • 19941994
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Second Best (1994)
Trailer
Play trailer1:58
2 Videos
21 Photos
  • Drama

Graham, a lonely Welsh postal worker, adopts James, a troubled ten-year-old boy. Graham always wanted a son, but James loves his biological father too much to give Graham a chance. Will the ... Read allGraham, a lonely Welsh postal worker, adopts James, a troubled ten-year-old boy. Graham always wanted a son, but James loves his biological father too much to give Graham a chance. Will the two be able to accept each other as family?Graham, a lonely Welsh postal worker, adopts James, a troubled ten-year-old boy. Graham always wanted a son, but James loves his biological father too much to give Graham a chance. Will the two be able to accept each other as family?

IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Chris Menges
  • Writer
    • David Cook(novel)
  • Stars
    • William Hurt
    • Nathan Yapp
    • Keith Allen
Top credits
  • Director
    • Chris Menges
  • Writer
    • David Cook(novel)
  • Stars
    • William Hurt
    • Nathan Yapp
    • Keith Allen
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 26User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations

    Videos2

    Second Best
    Trailer 1:58
    Second Best
    Second Best
    Trailer 3:04
    Second Best

    Photos21

    Second Best (1994)
    Second Best (1994)
    Second Best (1994)
    Second Best (1994)
    Second Best (1994)
    Second Best (1994)
    Second Best (1994)
    Second Best (1994)
    Second Best (1994)
    Second Best (1994)
    Second Best (1994)
    Second Best (1994)

    Top cast

    Edit
    William Hurt
    William Hurt
    • Graham Holtas Graham Holt
    Nathan Yapp
    • Jimmyas Jimmy
    Keith Allen
    Keith Allen
    • Johnas John
    Chris Cleary Miles
    • Jamesas James
    Doris Irving
    • Adoption Shop Volunteeras Adoption Shop Volunteer
    James Warrior
    • Senior Social Workeras Senior Social Worker
    Jane Horrocks
    Jane Horrocks
    • Debbieas Debbie
    Alfred Lynch
    Alfred Lynch
    • Edwardas Edward
    Rachel Freeman
    • Elsieas Elsie
    Gus Troakes
    • Jeffoas Jeffo
    Mossie Smith
    • Lynnas Lynn
    Martin Troakes
    • Colinas Colin
    Shaun Dingwall
    Shaun Dingwall
    • Graham, age 20as Graham, age 20
    Paul Wilson
    • Colin, age 20as Colin, age 20
    Alan Cumming
    Alan Cumming
    • Bernardas Bernard
    Jake Owen
    Jake Owen
    • Jimmy, age 3as Jimmy, age 3
    Sophie Dix
    Sophie Dix
    • Maryas Mary
    Prunella Scales
    Prunella Scales
    • Margeryas Margery
    • Director
      • Chris Menges
    • Writer
      • David Cook(novel) (screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Graham Holt is a lonely middle-aged man who runs a postal substation in a small village in England. He decides to adopt a son. James is the troubled youth he gets with the assistance of social worker Debbie. James has been in an orphanage for years since his mother committed suicide. He adores his outlaw father John, sent to prison not long after the mother's death. Can James learn to love Graham? Can Graham settle for being second best? —Reid Gagle
    • orphanage
    • village
    • suicide
    • social worker
    • lesbian slur
    • 42 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for thematic elements
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Final theatrical movie of Alfred Lynch (Edward).
    • Quotes

      [Remembering his mother's death]

      Graham: Dad wasn't making much sense. His hands were like injured birds looking for a safe place to roost.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Only You/Second Best/Pulp Fiction (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Imagination
      Written and Performed by Simon Boswell

      Published by Sunfun Ltd.

    User reviews26

    Review
    Top review
    A brilliant film about childhood trauma and a solution to it.
    I've read the other reviews posted here and concur with all of them. The film triumphs in its realistic depiction of two broken hearts, Jamie's and Graham's. I think, in order to appreciate the story, one must have somehow experienced the psychic shock of childhood abandonment, either emotionally or by outright physical abandonment. The pleasure of watching this film, aside from the acting and cinematography, is having the sense that it will work out okay. At the very end, when Jamie walks briskly to catch up with Graham, slips his hand into the grownup's hand, and then walks much more slowly, one can see in their stride together the fulfillment each has received. I rewound the film at that point to see that scene again.
    helpful•13
    2
    • goldenwrist
    • Feb 15, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 30, 1994 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Difícil elección
    • Filming locations
      • Knighton, Powys, Wales, UK
    • Production companies
      • Alcor Films
      • Fron Film Production
      • New Regency Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $86,115
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $19,190
      • Oct 2, 1994
    • Gross worldwide
      • $86,115
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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