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Once Upon a Time in the Midlands

  • 2002
  • R
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
4.9K
YOUR RATING
Robert Carlyle and Shirley Henderson in Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (2002)
Trailer 1
Play trailer2:18
9 Videos
42 Photos
ComedyDramaRomance

After seeing his ex-girlfriend (Henderson) turn down a nationally televised marriage proposal, a small-time crook (Carlyle) returns to his hometown to try and win back her heart.After seeing his ex-girlfriend (Henderson) turn down a nationally televised marriage proposal, a small-time crook (Carlyle) returns to his hometown to try and win back her heart.After seeing his ex-girlfriend (Henderson) turn down a nationally televised marriage proposal, a small-time crook (Carlyle) returns to his hometown to try and win back her heart.

  • Director
    • Shane Meadows
  • Writers
    • Paul Fraser
    • Shane Meadows
  • Stars
    • Robert Carlyle
    • Rhys Ifans
    • Kathy Burke
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    4.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Shane Meadows
    • Writers
      • Paul Fraser
      • Shane Meadows
    • Stars
      • Robert Carlyle
      • Rhys Ifans
      • Kathy Burke
    • 45User reviews
    • 20Critic reviews
    • 56Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 nominations total

    Videos9

    Once Upon A Time In The Midlands
    Trailer 2:18
    Once Upon A Time In The Midlands
    Once Upon A Time In The Midlands Scene: What Are You Doing Here?
    Clip 1:51
    Once Upon A Time In The Midlands Scene: What Are You Doing Here?
    Once Upon A Time In The Midlands Scene: What Are You Doing Here?
    Clip 1:51
    Once Upon A Time In The Midlands Scene: What Are You Doing Here?
    Once Upon A Time In The Midlands Scene: Didn't Have To Hit Him
    Clip 1:55
    Once Upon A Time In The Midlands Scene: Didn't Have To Hit Him
    Once Upon A Time In The Midlands Scene: Where's My Hand Rifle?
    Clip 1:35
    Once Upon A Time In The Midlands Scene: Where's My Hand Rifle?
    Once Upon A Time In The Midlands Scene: It's An Heirloom
    Clip 1:26
    Once Upon A Time In The Midlands Scene: It's An Heirloom
    Once Upon A Time In The Midlands Scene: What Do You Expect Me To Say?
    Clip 0:56
    Once Upon A Time In The Midlands Scene: What Do You Expect Me To Say?

    Photos42

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    Top Cast25

    Edit
    Robert Carlyle
    Robert Carlyle
    • Jimmy
    Rhys Ifans
    Rhys Ifans
    • Dek
    Kathy Burke
    Kathy Burke
    • Carol
    Vanessa Feltz
    • Vanessa
    Ricky Tomlinson
    Ricky Tomlinson
    • Charlie
    Vicki Patterson
    • Audience Guest
    Shirley Henderson
    Shirley Henderson
    • Shirley
    Finn Atkins
    • Marlene
    Kelly Thresher
    • Donna
    Andrew Shim
    Andrew Shim
    • Donut
    Ryan Bruce
    • Emerson
    Eliot Otis Brown Walters
    Eliot Otis Brown Walters
    • Lake
    Antony Strachan
    Antony Strachan
    • Jumbo
    David McKay
    • Dougy
    • (as David Mckay)
    James Cosmo
    James Cosmo
    • Billy
    Vic Reeves
    Vic Reeves
    • Plonko the Clown
    Bob Mortimer
    Bob Mortimer
    • Kung-Fu Clown
    Richard Garfoot
    • Wrestling Clown
    • Director
      • Shane Meadows
    • Writers
      • Paul Fraser
      • Shane Meadows
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews45

    6.24.8K
    1
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    10

    Featured reviews

    jonathan_ley

    Not Meadow's best.

    Firstly, let me say how much I like Shane Meadow's work (particularly 'A Room For Romeo Brass'). However 'Once Upon a Time in The Midlands' is, in my opinion, his weakest work to date. That's not to say it isn't a good film, it is, but somewhere along the line the Meadow's formula went wrong. It smacks of too much development, something Meadows complained about himself, almost as if Film Four wanted to bottle the distinctive spirit of his earlier work, mass produce it and sell it to the widest audience possible. The characters end up as caricatures and whereas previous Meadows films examined the wonderful humanity and quiet dignity inherent in everyday life this one ends up in danger of being patronising to its subjects. The title and tag line are great but I wonder if they weren't thought up before the actual story and at the expense of the film. I personally found the Western elements a little superfluous, the deluge of famous faces distracting (what on Earth are Reeves and Mortimer doing as clowns?!), and the Glasgow gangsters subplot unnecessary. Once these elements fall by the wayside however, as they do in the second half, the film settles down into telling a decent little story. The central love triangle comes to the fore and we actually begin to connect with the characters. All the performances are good but special mention must go to young Finn Atkins who is outstanding. If this is your first taste of Meadows then don't be put off, just know that there are better films in his back catelogue than this. The 2 disc DVD is worth investing in though as the extras include Shane's World and a really nice documentary on the film's promotional tour.
    bottomappreciator

    Another role-reversal flick.

    The hidden theme in this film is insipid. The daughter Marlene is the adult, while her parents, Jimmy and Shirley, are still children. Jimmy's primary school labeled him the toughest little booger in his class, and he still absurdly relishes the role. Shirley is a silly oversized thirteen-year-old who has two boys interested in her, and she flits back and forth between them as her adolescent whims take her. However, Marlene (the chronological child) is the adult who knows exactly what's best for all. Dek is also a grown-up: responsible, hard-working and kind, although naive.

    Near the end Marlene wants to run away with Dek. This wasn't a bad idea. Allowing for another ten years or so for Marlene to come of age, the two of them might have been a very happy, stable couple.
    Paul_Andrew

    Engaging and funny but short on surprises.

    Brilliantly observed comic scenes of working class domestic life, reminiscent of Caroline Aherne's superb 'Royle Family' sitcom, provide the backdrop for an engaging comedy-drama. All the main actors turn in typically excellent, albeit unsurprising performances: Robert Carlyle does a variation on his Scottish psycho-crim (see 'Trainspotting'), Ricky Tomlinson plays another genial but feckless Scouser (see 'The Royle Family') and Kathy Burke does her no-nonsense council-house Cockney routine (see Kathy Burke). By far the best of the ensemble is Rhys Ifans as Dek. Dek is the most rounded of the comic characters, all of whom are neatly sketched out, not just by dialogue, but by carefully chosen background details. Look out for the hub caps and model car collection in Dek's house and the cases of 'Pot Noodle' in Charlie's loo (which also serves as his office). Assured direction, a well-paced script and some very funny jokes make for a satisfying if somewhat predictable watch.
    8paul2001sw-1

    Meadows' worst film.. but still better than average

    Shane Meadows' first film, 'TwentyFour Seven', was dark, intense and arty; his second, 'A Room for Romeo Brass', is one my favourite movies, atmospheric, wildly funny and moving. But this, his third film, is not quite as brilliant, and indeed Meadows has acknowledged it as something of a wrong turn. Compared to it's predecessors, the mood is less claustrophobic, the humour a bit broader brush, and ultimately the movie is less poignant. Perhaps part of the problem is that whereas one of the highlights of Meadows' earlier films were the brilliant performances he coaxed out of largely unknown actors (Bob Hoskins was just about the only name of note in them), this film features a regular gallery of Brit-acting talent: Robert Carlyle, Kathy Burke, Ricky Tomslinson and Rhys Ifans. And while I have enjoyed movies featuring all of these actors, it's a bit hard, especially in the case of Tomlinson, to really see them in their roles, as opposed to as themselves. Sometimes, they almost seem to be performing too hard to fit into Meadows' sparsely filmed backdrops. One can also note that the cod-western theme is pursued with insufficient vigour to really define the movie. I don't want to be too harsh on the film overall, because there are still some very funny moments and excellent acting from Shirley Henderson and the young Finn Atkins. But it's certainly less ambitious than its two predecessors, which set the highest of standards by which to judge their successors.
    8rob-236

    Excellent British film - value for money

    `Once upon a time in the midlands' is the next instalment from Nottingham director Shane Meadows, indeed it concludes his `Nottingham trilogy' along with previous efforts `Twentyfourseven' and `A Room for Romeo Brass'

    I saw this film at its world premier as part of Directors fortnight at Cannes, and I am glad to say that it surpassed all my expectations. It's a tale of a loner Jimmy (Robert Carlyle) who by chance manages to see his ex, Shirley (Shirley Henderson) on a television show turning down a proposal from her new boyfriend on national television, this prompts Jimmy to return to Nottingham and try to win her back, along with the Daughter (a brilliant debut from 12 year old Finn Atkins) he also left years previously. There's just a few problems for Jimmy on the way, Shirley's wimpy yet loving new bloke Dek (Rhys Ifans), Jimmys mouthy step sister and her wannabe country singer husband (Kathy Burke and Ricky Tomlinson) not forgetting his shady friends who pursue him down south after he rips them off after a strange robbery goes horribly wrong.

    All members of the cast shine and its fun to see a `western' style angle being adopted – the classic tale of a loner coming into town to win back his girl, chased by villains and ready for a final confrontation with the man who his girl is now hooked up with. I hope this film gets the exposure it deserves when its released in the UK.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Dek (Rhys Ifans) drives a car with a vintage Welsh number plate from the late fifties, the letters of which read "DEK". It was issued in Haverfordwest, the birthplace of Rhys Ifans.
    • Quotes

      Charlie: My wife and I had an argument over whether or not I should have a vasectomy so we said we'd let the kids decide. I lost 13 - 12.

    • Crazy credits
      Special thanks to ... the People of Carlton and Gedling, Nottingham ...
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Matchstick Men/Jeepers Creepers 2/Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      Feels Like I'm in Love
      Written by Ray Dorset

      Published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Ltd. / Associated Music International, Ltd.

      Performed by Kelly Marie

      Courtesy of Eliot Cohen (as Eliot M. Cohen) of Satellite Music, Ltd.

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    FAQ17

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 6, 2002 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Germany
    • Official site
      • Sony Pictures Classics
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Érase una vez en los Midlands
    • Filming locations
      • Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • FilmFour
      • UK Film Council
      • Senator Film Produktion
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • £1,950,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $172,564
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $21,475
      • Aug 31, 2003
    • Gross worldwide
      • $544,512
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 44m(104 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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