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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
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format: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
Format: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.
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
Format: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.
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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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Bit of a 'spaghetti' "Western"
I generally like Shane Meadows, his honest writing and depiction of what early 21st century average life in Britain is actually like, is both appealing and refreshing. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Tim Kidner
Once Upon A Time In The Midlands - Another touching tale of...
Once again writer/director turns to dysfunctional everyday family life in Britain for another touching and memorable film. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Victor
Brilliant
Loved this movie. Beautiful balance of farce, British kitsch and a quiet, warm finish. Credible characters and all my favorite actors. Read more
Published 13 months ago by C. Paisley Wylder
If you like Robert Carlyle and Rhys Ifans.......
Once Upon a Time in The Midlands is a very good movie about fairly ordinary people. Illustrating the complications that can arise in lives that are never 'black and white' in terms... Read more
Published on 8 Oct 2009 by S. Cocks
Great Film
This is actually a really good film, very funny, and I laughed out loud a number of times throughout. Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2009 by Mr. P. Fixter
Good but not his best
Until I came across Dead mans shoes I had never heard of Shane Meadows. I reviewed that and I really liked it as it was tough and gritty and a good British film. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2009 by Peter Wade
Hilarious, underated gem from our best filmaker
I don't understand why this film doesn't get the recognition it deserves. It's one of the funniest
British movies in a long while- totally craps on the populist Britcoms or... Read more
British movies in a long while- totally craps on the populist Britcoms or... Read more
Published on 27 April 2008 by M. Cole
This town ain't big enough for the both of 'em
This film is generally cited as a Western set in the Midlands, but at times it feels as though this has more in common with a Ken Loach feature as the characters seem very... Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2008 by GeekZilla
A major disappointment
From the days when it was a legal requirement to cast either Robert Carlyle or Rhys Ifans if you wanted to get lottery funding for a British film, Once Upon a Time in the Midlands... Read more
Published on 27 Aug 2006 by Trevor Willsmer
Earthy comedy drama, good in parts.
There is nothing glamorous or stylish about this extremely low budget offering.
Rhys Iffans is absolutely excellent as the nerdy family man. Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2006 by Prof TBun
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