Second Best (1994)

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?

Director:

Chris Menges

Writers:

David Cook (novel), David Cook (screenplay)

Stars:

William Hurt, Nathan Yapp, Keith Allen

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Hurt	...	Graham Holt
Nathan Yapp	...	Jimmy
Keith Allen	...	John
Chris Cleary Miles	...	James
Doris Irving	...	Adoption Shop Volunteer
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
Paul Wilson	...	Colin, age 20
Alan Cumming	...	Bernard

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?

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Plot Keywords:

orphanage | village | suicide | social worker | lesbian slur | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 September 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Difícil elección

Filming Locations:

Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,190, 2 October 1994

Gross USA:

$86,115

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$86,115

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alcor Films, Fron Film Production, Regency Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Theatrical movie debuts of Chris Cleary Miles, Nathan Yapp, and Jake Owen. They all played Jimmy/James at different ages, and this role remains their only acting movie work.

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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.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Only You/Second Best/Pulp Fiction (1994)

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Soundtracks

The Wren
(La Capinera)
Performed by Josephine Tumminia with Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra
Courtesy of MCA Records

User Reviews

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.