Best Laid Plans

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
–

Stephen Graham
–

David O'Hara
–

Maxine Peake
–

Lee Ingleby
–

Deano

Emma Stansfield
–

Peter Wight
–

Roger

Nicola Potts
–

Tina

Stuart Wolfenden
–

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
–

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.