Best Laid Plans (2012)

David Blair directs this powerful British Drama, loosely inspired by John Steinbeck's novel 'Of Mice and Men'. Set in Nottingham, the film revolves around the relationship between the ... See full summary »

Director:

David Blair

Writers:

Chris Green (screenplay), Jeremy Sheldon (additional material)

Stars:

Stephen Graham, David O'Hara, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

2 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Stephen Graham	...	Danny
David O'Hara	...	Curtis
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje	...	Joseph
Lee Ingleby	...	Deano
Maxine Peake	...	Isabel
Peter Wight	...	Roger
Stuart Wolfenden	...	Pete
Emma Stansfield	...	Lisa
Brad Moore	...	Jon
Robert Stone	...	Doyle
Mark Strange	...	Vinny
Kieran Hardcastle	...	Hoody
Nicola Potts	...	Tina
Sarah Parks	...	Marriane
Robert Shannon	...	Kane

Storyline

David Blair directs this powerful British Drama, loosely inspired by John Steinbeck's novel 'Of Mice and Men'. Set in Nottingham, the film revolves around the relationship between the thuggish Danny (Stephen Graham) and Joseph (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), a giant of a man with a mental age of seven. When Danny finds himself in debt to a local crime boss, he feels he is left with no choice but to manipulate Joseph into participating in a series of underground cage fights from which Danny can pay his debts. However, as the fights become harder and Danny and Joesph fall for two beautiful women, Danny starts to question his own motives. Ultimately, this is a story of love and friendship and how far you would go for a friend.

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Plot Keywords:

debt | friendship | british | bullying | man crying | 

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Taglines:

Some Friendships are worth fighting for

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

If The World came Tumbling Down
Written by Michael Knowles
Performed by The Catchmen
Copyright, all rights reserved. Michael Knowles 2011

User Reviews

Of Fights and Men

This really is very good but I think they've misjudged the trailer. This isn't really a gangster thriller or a fighting movie - it is actually a reimagining/reworking of Of Mice and Men.

A petty criminal, Danny (Stephen Graham), cares for a giant of a man with learning difficulties, Joseph (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje). When Danny gets in trouble with a local crime boss he persuades Joseph to take part in a series of illegal cage fights in order to pay off his debt. OK, so far it sounds like a gangster/fighting flick, I grant you, but what has been left out of the trailer is the sub plot about Joseph falling in love with a young woman, also with learning difficulties, played by Maxine Peake.

I say 'learning difficulties' as I have no idea what the acceptable terminology is these days. Special needs? Luckily the film is down-to-earth and honest and doesn't pussyfoot around like I am. The characters speak as they would in real life, which does result in one very funny line which everyone in the audience laughed at but wouldn't dare repeat outside of the cinema*.

The subplot is handled with skill and care. The actors all turn in fine performances, especially Stephen Graham as the quick-witted but ultimately self-destructive central character and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as the simple giant, Joseph. Their relationship, as you discover more and more about it, it utterly believable and is the central spine of the whole film. It's not a life changer but it is fine piece of work and well worth checking out if you get the chance.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 February 2012 (UK)

Also Known As:

Best Laid Plans

Filming Locations:

The Bath Inn, 1 Handel Street, Sneinton, Nottingham, UK

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$573

Company Credits

Production Co:

MoliFilms, Made Up North Productions, AV Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1