Greenfingers (2000)

A prison inmate with a green thumb goes on to compete in a national gardening competition. Based on a true story.

Director:

Joel Hershman

Writer:

Joel Hershman

Stars:

Clive Owen, Helen Mirren, David Kelly

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Clive Owen	...	Colin Briggs
Helen Mirren	...	Georgina Woodhouse
David Kelly	...	Fergus Wilks
Warren Clarke	...	Governor Hodge
Danny Dyer	...	Tony
Adam Fogerty	...	Raw
Paterson Joseph	...	Jimmy
Natasha Little	...	Primrose Woodhouse
Peter Guinness	...	Dudley
Lucy Punch	...	Holly
Sally Edwards	...	Susan Hodge
Donald Douglas	...	Nigel
Kevin McMonagle	...	Laurence
Julie Saunders	...	Sarah
Jordan Maxwell	...	John (as Jorden Maxwell)

Storyline

Clive Owen stars as a prison inmate who goes into an experimental "open" prison where the inmates walk around freely and get job training for their impending releases. While there, he discovers he has a talent for growing flowers. His talent is recognized by a gardening guru who encourages him and four other inmates to enter a national gardening competition.

---

Plot Keywords:

based on true story | male objectification | showering together | male in shower | man in shower | 

---

Taglines:

Based on a true story

---

Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

Parts were also filmed at Queen Elizabeth's Training College, Leatherhead. The hospital room was really the television room for students.

---

Goofs

Towards the end of the movie when Colin is walking with Primrose through to the garden in the competition, she is/is not wearing a necklace between shots.

---

Quotes

Colin: Roses are red, violets are blue. I'm about to f*** up. So what else is new?

---

Soundtracks

Twenty Five To Midnight
Written and Performed by Sting
Published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd. and Magnetic Publishing Ltd.
Courtesy of A&M Records/Mercury Records Limited (London)
Licensed by kind permission from the Film and TV Licensing Division, part of the Universal Music Group

User Reviews

What's the problem?

I can't believe the cynicism surrounding this film. It has a nice wholesome quality to it that is lacking in our films today. I love films like 'Scarface', 'GoodFellas' and '48 HRS.' but that doesn't mean I can't like a film like 'Greenfingers'. Taking a group of prisoners and putting them in such a scenario as making them gardeners as part of their rehabilitation is a unique concept for a film. Reviewers, especially American critics must think all prisons around the world are loaded with weapons and power hungry guards and wardens. Countries like Canada, Switzerland and England have less violent criminals and less confrontational authorities. Some are mocking the film's whole premise as absurd but to make it more credible, this film is based on a true story! 'Greenfingers' runs a short 90 minutes, has some good characters that are well developed and jokes that bubble with surprising wit and charm. Examine the cast and crew carefully and watch out for their next film(s). We need more like them.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 September 2001 (UK)

Also Known As:

Greenfingers

Filming Locations:

Fairford, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP1,365,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$65,584, 29 July 2001

Gross USA:

$1,443,067

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,961,054

Company Credits

Production Co:

Boneyard Entertainment, Fireworks Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1