Plot
David Blair directs this powerful British Drama, loosely inspired by John Steinbeck's novel 'Of Mice and Men'...
Release Year: 2012
Rating: 5.6/10 (249 voted)
Director:
David Blair
Stars: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Stephen Graham, David O'Hara
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.
Writers: Chris Green, Jeremy Sheldon
Cast: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
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Stephen Graham
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David O'Hara
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Maxine Peake
-
Lee Ingleby
-
Deano
Emma Stansfield
-
Peter Wight
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Roger
Nicola Potts
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Tina
Stuart Wolfenden
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Pete
Robert Stone
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Doyle
Sarah Parks
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Marriane
Mark Strange
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Vinny
Kieran Hardcastle
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Cocaine Dealer
Robert Shannon
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Kane
Rowan Scarborough
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Officer Trent
Taglines:
Some Friendships are worth fighting for
Release Date: 3 February 2012
Filming Locations: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, UK
User Review
Of Fights and Men
Rating: 7/10
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.
Storyline Nick is caught in a dead end job in a dead end town. About the only thing going well for him is Lissa, his new girlfriend. A chance to make some easy cash, and a way out of town, only leads to more trouble. Also caught in the web of sex, thefts, gangsters, kidnappings and murder is Nick's college friend, Bryce.
Cast: Alessandro Nivola
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Nick
Reese Witherspoon
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Lissa
Josh Brolin
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Bryce
Gene Wolande
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Lawyer
Jonathan McMurtry
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Vet
Terrance Sweeney
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Priest
(as Father Terrance Sweeney)
Rebecca Klingler
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Diner Waitress
Rocky Carroll
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Bad Ass Dude
Kate Hendrickson
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Bar Waitress
Owen Bush
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Vagrant
Jesse Woodrow
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Roach Coach Clerk
James Marsh
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Barry
(as Jamie Marsh)
Michael McCleery
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Recycling Owner
Terrence Howard
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Jimmy
(as Terrence Dashon Howard)
Sean Nepita
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Freddie
Taglines:
Ever feel like the world is conspiring against you... You don't have to tell me where you've been... Everyone sucks, but us... keeping a relationship alive can be murder.
Release Date: 14 May 1999
Filming Locations: Bakersfield, California, USA
Box Office Details
Budget: $7,000,000
(estimated)
Opening Weekend: £259,221
(UK)
(16 May 1999)
(200 Screens)
Gross: $25,651
(USA)
(19 September 1999)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Quotes: Nick:
I love you. Lissa:
Why do you think I'm doing this?
User Review
A smart, entertaining movie
Rating: 8/10
This was a pleasant surprise. I really didn't know what to expect, but
what
I got was a very intelligent movie with more than enough twists and turns
to
keep things rather unpredictable. It took a little too long to get
everything set up properly, and it perhaps had one twist too many, but
overall, it was a great film with strong performances by Alessandro Nivola
and Reese Witherspoon. Definitely worth checking out.
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