Scanialara
You won't be disappointed!
Rijndri
Load of rubbish!!
Derrick Gibbons
An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.
Staci Frederick
Blistering performances.
rtmcdarby
If you're a fan of broader British cinema & Danny Graham give this a try with as little preconception as possible - if you're expecting a 'British gangster film' along the veins of 'Snatch' or anything else Guy Richie has made you may well be disappointed...or pleasantly surprised. Are there gangsters? Yes. Is there violence? Yes. Is there sex & drugs? Yes. Are there clichés? Yes Are any of these things what the film is fundamentally about? Or particularly gratuitous? No. They're part of a delicate story that has at it's heart a touching, but not exactly 'touchy-feely' relationship between a lovably flawed scouse rogue & his friend, a giant black guy with a gentle nature & learning difficulties - as they become increasingly caught up in a tragic & dangerous situation that forces them to go against their own natures & indeed, their friendship. Both characters have their own unique charm & their separate sub plots are just as enjoyable as the central story, in fact they're inseparable from it, giving it's simple premise the legs to move to different situations & emotional places quickly & seamlessly. The cynic in me saw a lot of potential clichés in the style & the story, but whenever the film fell into them I was surprised & delighted to find they were the moments that really struck a chord.From what I've seen & read 'Best Laid Plans' is a film that has suffered from some awful marketing at a time in cinema when it's difficult to sell a complex & moving British story to a British audience, let alone an American one. Luckily for me, I just read a few simple sentences about the plot, looked at the cast & pressed play hoping for the best (thank you Netflix). I imagine in a few years time, when enough people have seen the film & forgotten the trailers, it will find greater appreciation.
bobmenfl-1
One can pay all the usual compliments to British Film Making e.g underplayed, gritty,thoughtful, etc. but I think this movie is exceptional. The story line is well crafted and the acting from all participants, is superb. The "Mentally Disabled" roles played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Maxine Peake are sensitively portrayed and Stephen Graham is,as always,brilliant! The fight scenes are particularly "Squirm Making"and the dreary Nottingham scenics were well chosen and cleverly filmed. I find it hard to believe that it only rates 6 on the IMDb site! Great work from you British Film Makers Keep'em coming!
goatbut29
I was very impressed with this film. The actor playing Joseph was nothing short of brilliant and tender. I found myself wishing that no matter how it ended, Joseph would be taken care of.I must give props to the director for putting it all together in such a soft and yet gripping way. Someone had a vision with this piece and I hope they got what they were after.I hope the actor playing Joseph gets the respect he deserves and I feel honored to have stumbled upon this gem.I would highly recommend this movie to anyone old enough to take the emotional pounding.
wildsheep
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.
