- Actors: Robert Carlyle, Rhys Ifans, Kathy Burke, Vanessa Feltz, Ricky Tomlinson
- Directors: Shane Meadows
- Writers: Shane Meadows, Paul Fraser
- Producers: Andrea Calderwood, Claire Hunt, Hanno Huth, James Wilson, Louise Knight
- Format: PAL
- Language English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.77:1
- Number of discs: 2
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Vci
- DVD Release Date: 29 Sep 2003
- Run Time: 104 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00009MGKM
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 22,835 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Amazon.co.uk Review
Once Upon a Time in the Midlands is credited as the closing part in a loosely connected trilogy by director Shane Meadows. A Room for Romeo Brass (1999) and Twenty Four Seven (1997) preceded it, and ultimately the viewer will be hard pressed to discern anything other than the British Midlands locale linking them together. That and the generally grim tone. Here we have what boils down to a tale of a girl (Shirley Henderson) who can't decide between two guys (her ex, Robert Carlyle, or her current boyfriend, Rhys Ifans). Wrapped up in some easy comedy and framed in the occasional nod to the spaghetti western genre, the movie initially has plenty in its favour. Unfortunately, the intrusion of a B-plot, involving some Scottish thugs, overpowers the more pleasant family portrait. As a result, the stellar performances by Kathy Burke and Ricky Tomlinson get lost in the drama of the love triangle. After swinging back and forth indecisively, Shirley's conclusion to the tale doesn't have the emotional punch that it should have. This third Midlands tale may be the most accessible in terms of familiar characters and aspects of contemporary British life, but it isn't the kind of escapist movie experience suggested by its title. --Paul Tonks
Special Features
English
Region 2
Region 2
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Almost like reality,
By
This review is from: Once Upon a Time in the Midlands [2002] [DVD] (DVD)
When Jimmy wakes up and sees his ex-girlfriend, Shirley, on the telly, taking part in a chat show, he can hardly believe his eyes. Then when he notices that his foster sister, Carol is sitting next to her, having her relationship with the father of her children, Charlie picked over by the participating audience, he comes properly awake. And then, when some prat comes shambling on stage with a bunch of flowers and proposes to Shirley - and Shirley, stunned and embarrassed, turns him down, Jimmy is suddenly filled with a sense of macho competitiveness and is determined to go down to Nottingham and win Shirl back. His efforts throw the lives of Shirley and her friends in to chaos.There were three reasons to buy this DVD: 1) I live in the Midlands, 2) a host of my favourite actors are in the film and 3) it came highly recommended. Reason 1 is probably irrelevant, as a previous reviewer has mentioned. The characters in the film represent people in similar communities all over the country. Reason 2 is valid. There's Robert Carlyle (Jimmy, the idle Glaswegian petty criminal ex-boyfriend), Ricky Tomlinson (Charlie, Carol's Country and Western performer ex-partner), Kathy Burke (cheerful, tolerant Carol - but at the end of her tether with Charlie and Jimmy) and Rhys Ifans (the dorky, uninspiring but faithful Dek) - and they're all brilliant. The other, not-so-well known actors are good too. Reason 3 turned out to be right. I really enjoyed the film. Low-budget films like this have the advantage of being forced to rely on a good story, good direction and excellent acting because they can't deceive the audience with amazing special effects. It's like real life. I recognised these people. I've met people just like them - and liked them.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing work from an excellent writer/director,
By
This review is from: Once Upon a Time in The Midlands [DVD] (DVD)
I recently saw 'This is England 86' on TV and impressed by Shane Meadows thought I'd check out his filmography/back catalogue. I've enjoyed most of his other films but was very disappointed with this, especially given the excellent cast.
Plotless, meandering, unfocused, unfunny. The latter is the film's really weakness. I think Shane Meadows is an excellent writer of drama and even comic moments within drama - but outright comedy is obviously not his forte. Even the issue of comedy is problematic. This is how the film is billed (a point emphasised by its cast) and yet not only is it lacking in humour, towards the end it seems to turn into a serious drama. [Spoilers in this next bit.] I must also say that the film lacks any psychological depth/realism. Shirley falls back in and out of love with unconvincing speed with Jimmy who in turn goes from wanting a second chance to unreconstituted slob literally overnight. Given the title, I was also a bit disappointed that there were no references to or thematic links with Sergio Leone's work. Like I say Shane Meadows is a talented writer/director - but he was definitely having an off year with this project. If you've seen his previous worked and enjoyed it you might be best to avoid this. It lowers his batting average.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good budget movie.,
By
This review is from: Once Upon a Time in The Midlands [DVD] (DVD)
Set in the Midlands, i bought this movie because i was born in Nottingham, i spotted alot of things that were familiar with the film so i loved it.
The film itself is good, with no American actors to spoil it, it drags on a little and i think that it could have had a better storyline, i just love everything lower-class about this film, language, cars, situations are all spot on. Great film for anyone who likes British films.
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