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 | |
|
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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 | |
|
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Rachel Freeman | ... | Elsie |
|
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Gus Troakes | ... | Jeffo |
|
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Mossie Smith | ... | Lynn |
|
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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:
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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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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
Debbie: If he gets ya practicing knots, just remember, untying them again's the hard part.See more »
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William Hurt is very believable as a west country postmaster and the adoption process is taken apart in a sympathetic and believable manner. The film has charm and pace while dealing with a difficult subject. If it were to be made now would there be a different emphasis in the light of current obsessions with protecting children from paedophiles?