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?
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Title: Second Best (1994)
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1 win & 2 nominations.
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| William Hurt | ... | Graham Holt | |
 |
Nathan Yapp | ... | Jimmy |
| Keith Allen | ... | John | |
|
|
Chris Cleary Miles | ... | James |
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Doris Irving | ... | Adoption Shop Volunteer |
|
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James Warrior | ... | Senior Social Worker |
| Jane Horrocks | ... | Debbie | |
| Alfred Lynch | ... | Edward | |
|
|
Rachel Freeman | ... | Elsie |
|
|
Gus Troakes | ... | Jeffo |
|
|
Mossie Smith | ... | Lynn |
|
|
Martin Troakes | ... | Colin |
| Shaun Dingwall | ... | Graham, age 20 | |
|
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Paul Wilson | ... | Colin, age 20 |
| Alan Cumming | ... | Bernard | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
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? Written by Reid Gagle
Genres:
DramaParents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
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See more on IMDbPro »
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Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
30 September 1994 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Difícil elección See more »Edit
Box Office
Gross USA:
$86,115Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby StereoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
Graham Holt: Not this weekend.
James: Why not?
Graham Holt: We have a visitor.
James: [pauses, puzzled] We never have visitors.
See more »
Did You Know?
Quotes
James: [emerging from the school bus Friday afternoon] You've got a broody expression, like a hen with constipation. Well, don't, 'cuz I've got the hermity. We're going camping this weekend. It'll be great!Graham Holt: Not this weekend.
James: Why not?
Graham Holt: We have a visitor.
James: [pauses, puzzled] We never have visitors.
See more »
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I rarely write reviews for movies. And having seen the other excellent reviews, mine is hardly needed. But I stumbled across this movie and felt I had to comment on it.
This is an excellent movie with wonderful acting, directing, writing, screen play, and filming. I saw the last 2/3 of the movie by accident and could not tear myself away from it.
William Hurt and the boy actor (sorry - forgot the name) are thrown together by life's accidents and develop bonds for one another. The rough edges on each character are worn smooth as each accommodates the other and learns of the other's trials and humanity. The acting is superb and rarely gets in the way of the content - more to the point, the acting complements the story well.
But what makes the movie special is the character development. The writing, directing, and screen play successfully convey the existential experiences of the actors as they develop and react to one another.
A good song, a good poem, a good book - are made special if they are accessible - if they evoke within you the ring of truth and personal history. This movie communicated with me extremely well on a personal basis, on many plans at the same time. Every element of this film was well crafted. The movie is cerebral and touching - with very few rough edges. I couldn't recommend it more highly for an adult audience.