Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? (1999)

Harold Smith (Sir Tom Courtenay), a quiet middle-aged Englishman becomes an instant celebrity when he suddenly starts exhibiting psychic and telekinetic powers. After he is arrested for ... See full summary »

Director:

Peter Hewitt

Writer:

Ben Steiner

Stars:

Tom Courtenay, Michael Legge, Laura Fraser

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Courtenay	...	Harold Smith
Michael Legge	...	Vince Smith
Laura Fraser	...	Joanna Robinson
Stephen Fry	...	Dr. Peter Robinson
Charlotte Roberts	...	Lucy Robinson
Amanda Root	...	Margaret Robinson
Lulu	...	Irene Smith
David Thewlis	...	Nesbit
Charlie Hunnam	...	Daz
Matthew Rhys	...	Ray Smith
James Corden	...	Walter
Rosemary Leach	...	Harold's Mother
Charles Simon	...	Oobie
Mark Williams	...	Roland Thornton
John Higgins	...	The Reverend Anthony Cooper

Storyline

Harold Smith (Sir Tom Courtenay), a quiet middle-aged Englishman becomes an instant celebrity when he suddenly starts exhibiting psychic and telekinetic powers. After he is arrested for accidentally killing three pensioners by causing their pacemakers to stop, his lawyer brings in an extremely skeptical scientist to test whether or not Harold's powers are real. Meanwhile, Harold's son Vince (Michael Legge), a disco devotee, is pining for his co-worker Joanna (Laura Fraser), who also happens to be the daughter of the scientist testing Vince's dad.

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Plot Keywords:

disco | disco dancing | telekinesis | question mark in title | five word title | 

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Taglines:

When punk meets disco.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual content

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michael Legge (Vince) was offered a role in this movie four days after completing his work on Alan Parker's Angela's Ashes (1999).

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Goofs

When the Police arrive after the 'house smashing' scene one of the vehicles is a Bedford CF with a 1976 registration plate. Whilst the vehicle was available in 1976, the model shown is a post 1980 face lifted version with a plastic radiator grille.

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Soundtracks

No More Heroes
Written by Hugh Cornwell, Jean-Jacques Burnel, Dave Greenfield, Jet Black
Performed by The Stranglers

User Reviews

Excellent heartwarming WEIRD movie.

This is one of the most beautiful movies I've ever seen. The direction is excellent, the acting is great, although really weird, and the script is perfect.

This film is a real masterpiece but I think many people just can't get past the accents. It's NOT a "accurate depiction of the 70s" - or at least, it's not trying to be. It's a movie in which really normal people deal with really WEIRD situations. I love it because everyone stays normal despite this strange phenomena of Howard Smith's.

I've never seen a romantic comedy with such normal, and realistic people who, despite being idiots, were sweet, and honest.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 March 2000 (UK)

Also Known As:

Whatever Happened to Harold Smith?

Filming Locations:

Urban Road, Hexthorpe, Doncaster, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$857, 17 June 2001

Gross USA:

$2,543

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,543

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arts Council of England, Intermedia Films, October Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1