Cubussoli Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

AshUnow This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Fatma Suarez The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

moonspinner55 Chris Menges, who in 1992 directed the very fine, unusual drama "CrissCross", takes on another curious, strangely moving film with "Second Best". William Hurt plays a single, middle-aged postman in a Welsh village who wants to adopt a boy. We learn why, and we also learn why the young boy who's been selected has such a mercurial nature, but these themes (childhood-vs.-adulthood, rebellious-vs.-being loved), however topical, have been well-traveled. It is Hurt's performance which is something new. The way he moves his head quickly to avert an emotion or a confusion, the way he smiles when surprised...the man is, of course, an actor, but he's not actorly; he's not a beguiling trickster, he is an actor of deeply human emotions. When he loses his temper at the kid, it's not unusual to find him saying the next morning that he's willing to continue on this path. It's a refreshing piece of work by Hurt, who I feel has been erratic since finding major stardom on the screen. The youngster, Chris Cleary Miles, is kept low-keyed (he's very natural), while John Hurt is funny and fine in a brief supporting role. Alan Cumming looks a little theatrical and out-of-place as an adoption caseworker (at first I feared there would be a dreadful sub-plot involving Cumming as the villain of the piece). A fine film, though Menges does fiddle with a few camera tricks to convey emotions not in the script. It turns out these artistic flourishes were not necessary, as the main character and his desire to be a good, decent father manage to express a lot more. *** out of ****

kirkegarfield This is a moving, touching film. For me a little bit frightening too. In the real world there are some people, who behave like Holt. (Unimportant, but funny that the word "Holt" means Dead in Hungarian which is my first language.) This movie is like a therapy, an advice for unhappy, lonely people. A believable film is a great pleasure nowadays, but if you meet your own life face-to-face in a script, well... it's pretty scary. If you pay attention good enough, it changes your life! Thank God for this film!

wchcky Excellent film. Both the boy (Yapp) and Hurt were great. Seemed real life like. Hurt the lonely man, and the boy as one needing love. It highlighted the struggles both and to go through before they could finally come together as father and son. Also the musical track is great.

mjkobb Happened past this on cable, and was instantly hooked. ChrisCleary Miles is an exceptional young actor, and I eagerly awaithis next performance. William Hurt turns in his usualoutstanding performance as well. Overall, a touching andultimately uplifting piece.