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IMDbPro

The Calcium Kid

  • 2004
  • R
  • 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
4.9K
YOUR RATING
The Calcium Kid (2004)
Following a bizarre series of events, Jimmy, a local amateur boxer, finds himself pitted in a match against the world champion.
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ComedySport

Following a bizarre series of events, Jimmy, a local amateur boxer, finds himself pitted in a match against the world champion.Following a bizarre series of events, Jimmy, a local amateur boxer, finds himself pitted in a match against the world champion.Following a bizarre series of events, Jimmy, a local amateur boxer, finds himself pitted in a match against the world champion.

  • Director
    • Alex De Rakoff
  • Writers
    • Raymond Friel
    • Derek Boyle
    • Alex De Rakoff
  • Stars
    • Mark Heap
    • Michael Lerner
    • Michael Peña
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.6/10
    4.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Alex De Rakoff
    • Writers
      • Raymond Friel
      • Derek Boyle
      • Alex De Rakoff
    • Stars
      • Mark Heap
      • Michael Lerner
      • Michael Peña
    • 38User reviews
    • 18Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:00
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    Photos8

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    Top cast72

    Edit
    Mark Heap
    Mark Heap
    • Sebastian Gore-Brown
    Michael Lerner
    Michael Lerner
    • Artie Cohen
    Michael Peña
    Michael Peña
    • Jose Mendez
    Julian Zapata
    • Jose's Entourage
    Alejandro Ramirez
    • Jose's Entourage
    Milton Hernandez
    • Jose's Entourage
    Alberto Ramon
    • Jose's Entourage
    Hector Trujillo
    • Jose's Entourage
    John Correa
    • Jose's Entourage
    Janier Morales Drado
    • Jose's Entourage
    Wilson Cretaro da Luz Jr.
    • Jose's Entourage
    • (as Wilson Cretaro da Luz Jnr)
    Tamer Hassan
    Tamer Hassan
    • Pete Wright
    Omid Djalili
    Omid Djalili
    • Herbie Bush
    John Joyce
    • Jon Wright
    Cathy Dunning
    • Jeanne Wright
    Ivanhoe Norona
    • Pete's Trainer
    Orlando Bloom
    Orlando Bloom
    • Jimmy 'The Calcium Kid' Connelly
    Arthur Nightingale
    • Leonard
    • Director
      • Alex De Rakoff
    • Writers
      • Raymond Friel
      • Derek Boyle
      • Alex De Rakoff
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews38

    5.64.8K
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    Featured reviews

    5Boba_Fett1138

    Awkward little film.

    No wonder this movie never got a world wide release. It's a simple made little movie that tries to be original in several different ways but fails at it in about every way possible.

    This movie is supposed to be a fake documentary, a so called mockumentary, that focuses on the build up to a title-boxing match, set in London, between the champion Jose Mendez (Michael Pena) and the underdog and milkman Jimmy 'The Calcium Kid' Connelly. It makes you wonder that if this is supposed to be a fake documentary, than why isn't it made in documentary style. It uses movie camera positions, lighting and editing, complete with cuts and different positions and a chronological scene build up. Basically the only way they tried to make it look a bit like a documentary, is by adding a 'camera' voice-over and they let the camera being attacked and talked into a couple of times. It's really lame and it certainly doesn't add to the credibility or realism of the movie. The movie as a whole is hard to take serious since it goes comically so over-the-top that it isn't even good as a funny one. The humor is lame and simple, the sort of stuff a 9-year would normally come up with.

    The movie is made in 'new-English style'. The kind of style which Guy Ritchie first began to use in his movies. Fast editing, fast pace, a cool style and music, over-the-top character and lots of humor. This is probably the only reason why this movie still remains a perfectly watchable one. It however does not always work out perfect. The characters for instance are all far from likable and/or comical. The humor itself on its own is also quite simple and awkward. This movie is far from funny or clever.

    The movie is filled with surprising many good and well known actors, for such a small movie as this one. The material and dialog they have to work with however isn't world class and the barely manage to make certain sequences and situations to still work out. Most of the actors also feel out of place. Orlando Bloom certainly isn't in his element as normal and simple everyday person. He just isn't the greatest comical talent around, which shows in this movie.

    Reading the premise of this movie, a inexperienced underdog against the boxing champion, one could immediately scream; "Rocky" ripoff! It certainly is true that this movie is far from original and the fact that the movie literally also spoofs some moments and entire sequences, completely with the same music, from the Rocky movies doesn't help to make this movie an original one that you can take serious as a boxing movie, not even as a comical meant to be one. In the end the movie still tries to take a surprising and non-formulaic twist but the twist is far from good, interesting or funny for that mater. As a matter of fact it gives the movie a bad aftertaste.

    A failed movie on many accounts. Still somewhat watchable thanks to its style.

    5/10

    http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
    8chris123

    cute movie

    I've read all the terrible reviews; I wasn't expecting much, especially since I'm unlikely to get any British humor (being in the US and growing up in Asia). But the movie really surprised me at how many times it made me laugh out loud.

    The performances are great fun to watch. Yes, the characters are cliché and very 1-D, but they are played with enough enthusiasm and charm to make up for the 'weak' script. There are places where the movie falls on the 'wrong/bad' side of cringe-worthy, like some scenes with Herbie(the manager) and Stan (the best friend), but overall, it's an enjoyable way to spend two hours.

    And then, there's Jimmy (Orlando Bloom's character), who with his naivete and haplessness, manages to 'preach' without ever sounding preachy or cheesy. I know this is no Oscar movie, but it isn't as mindless as some comedies out there. At its heart, spoken through Jimmy's dad's quotes, are some good really messages. It's almost a shame that the movie isn't cut for a younger audience. It'd be a good diversion from the usual 'teen queen' movies flooding the cinemas these days.
    7chickadee19

    Not at all bad!!!

    I must first admit to being a big Orlando Bloom fan, yes, for the looks not the acting, and was looking forward to this film. I was not disappointed. The story of Jimmy(Bloom) an amateur boxer being put up against Jose Mendez, world champion, is set in the style of a mocumentary. Billie Piper's long awaited film debut, though not a supporting role, could have had a bit more depth. Even so the film is simple and very cute. There are a few humorous moments and all in all I have to say i enjoyed this movie. Bloom's woodenness in other films is disguised by the fact he is playing a slightly dim character in this movie and even though this is not a brilliant film, I did make me smile!!
    7new_skin

    Great, underrated little film

    I first saw 'The Calcium Kid' at the end of 2004, and have since bought the DVD. This movie is very underrated, with great performances from a mostly-unknown-outside-of-the-United-Kingom (at the time) cast. The film begins a week before a much-anticipated title fight between World Champion Jose Mendez (Michael Pena-Crash) of the United States and the undefeated British challenger Pete Wright (Tamer Hassan-The Football Factory). Wright is injured while sparring with Jimmy Connolly (Orlando Bloom), a milkman who is yet to have his first fight. Fearful of losing his chance at fame, Wright's manager Herbie Bush (Omid Djalili) replaces Wright with Connolly without telling Mendez or his take-no-prisoners manager, Artie Cohen (Michael Lerner-Barton Fink). The fight gains huge amounts of publicity due to the unusual nature of it, and the days preceding the fight send Connolly spiraling from underdog hopeful to fascist and everywhere in between.

    Orlando Bloom is great in his performance as Jimmy Connolly. I think it is his best yet, in fact. As the leading man, he shows his skills at comedy, and is free from being overshadowed by the ensemble cast of Lord Of The Rings and Pirates Of The Caribbean. His reactions to the situations he finds himself in over the days before the big fight are priceless and pulled off realistically. Bloom, acting outside his normal period piece roles, proves that he can pull off many a different role.

    Tamer Hassan is also great as the disgruntled Pete Wright. Despite his attempts to publicly humiliate Connolly and Bush, you really feel for his situation. Having the chance of a lifetime taken from you by a milkman is enough to set anybody off, and Hassan does the role justice in a hilarious way.

    The Calcium Kid features great performances all around, such as those I've already mentioned, as well as Michael Pena, Michael Lerner and Omid Djalili. Look for supporting roles by Rafe Spall and Billie Piper as well.

    Lastly, something must be said of first time writer/director Alex De Rakoff. The script is hilarious, and the mockumentary-style directing are spot-on. I only hope this is the first of many for De Rakoff.

    To conclude, The Calcium Kid is one of the funniest films I've seen in a long time. Not only that, but Bloom's performance really makes you want to see his character pull off the upset of a lifetime. See this film; you will not be disappointed.
    8nazgul748

    Very British, Very Funny

    The Calcium Kid is very funny in the tradition of "Young Frankenstein" and Monty Python stuff. Orlando Bloom shows that he can do more then play the swashbuckler. The humor ranges from subtle to absurd. The screenplay was just a little shy of pure genius. Sometimes it's nice to see a film that is just for fun. The actors have a chance to have fun and make fun of themselves. Orlando Bloom plays a wonderful part as our hapless hero. The supporting cast is great. The direction was hilarious. Pay attention though, you might miss some very funny stuff!! I give it 8/10 for the quality of work throughout the production. I literally laughed out loud several times. It's worth watching at least once, but I'll bet you'll want to see it again.

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill in Moneyball (2011)
    Sport

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Set in South East London - coincidentally where Orlando Bloom grew up.
    • Quotes

      Jimmy: I've drunk three pints of milk a day for as long as I can remember, and the benefits have been unbelievable. 'Cause of all the calcium, I've never had a filling or been knocked out. My bones are as hard as rock.

    • Crazy credits
      The Producer acknowledges that the behavior of the character "Jimmy Connelly" in the Film does not reflect the health and safety procedures of Express Dairies
    • Connections
      References The Rumble in the Jungle (1974)
    • Soundtracks
      Pubrucaz
      (Hanif / Mangat)

      Performed by Dead Relative

      Courtesy of Universal-Island Records Ltd

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 30, 2004 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • Official Site
      • Working Title Films (prod co)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Хлопчик з кальцію
    • Filming locations
      • Express Dairies, Wakefield St, London, England, UK(milk depot)
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • StudioCanal
      • Working Title Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $109,202
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 29m(89 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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