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 |
|
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Mossie Smith | ... | Lynn |
|
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Martin Troakes | ... | Colin |
| Shaun Dingwall | ... | Graham, age 20 | |
|
|
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:
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Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
30 September 1994 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Difícil elección See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$19,190, 2 October 1994Gross USA:
$86,115Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$86,115Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby StereoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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(La Capinera)
Performed by Josephine Tumminia with Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra
Courtesy of MCA Records
See more »
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. See more »Quotes
Graham: I know where you've gone. I know where you're hiding. To have nothing, to feel nothing, to be nothing. It doesn't work, I've tried it. Anything's possible, Jamie, except feeling nothing. That's never possible.See more »
Soundtracks
The Wren(La Capinera)
Performed by Josephine Tumminia with Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra
Courtesy of MCA Records
See more »
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William Hurt is an interesting actor. Although he has made many money making Hollywood films, he seems to enjoy also making small artistic films that MUST bring him a lot less money but perhaps more personal satisfaction. Among these many "little" films he has done is Second Best--an odd little film well worth watching. Is it a perfect film? Certainly not. At times, it is a bit slow and emotionally sterile--though this is needed due to the type man Hurt is portraying. For some inexplicable reason (it would have been nice to know more about WHY), Welshman Hurt decides to take in a hard to adopt boy with the intention of adopting him. Because the boy has lots of emotional baggage, they do not easily bond and their relationship is strained. However, just because there are these awkward moments, do not stop watching--the payoff is there and the characters are much more realistic (with all their foibles) than what you are usually given in a typical movie!