Second Best

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Second Best

PG-13

1994

1h 45m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

Graham Holt (William Hurt) is a reclusive Welsh postal worker who lives with his terminally ill father. Aware that he'll soon be alone, Graham decides to adopt a son, but, because he's a single man, he's told he'll be offered only the most troubled children available. He soon begins a visitation period with a volatile young boy named James (Chris Cleary Miles) whose mother committed suicide and whose father (Keith Allen) is serving time in jail.

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

[Director Chris Menges] has taken a small, quiet subject, and handled it delicately, much aided by William Hurt.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 3/5

Sep 21, 2005

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jul 24, 2005

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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

Zeroes in on the tense but potentially rewarding relationships between fathers and sons.

Aug 26, 2002

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Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Rated: 3/5

Jul 29, 2002

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steve p

Beautiful performances in a tale of how broken people can be channels of healing in each others' lives.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Fairly gripping drama, a bit long and drawn out in parts

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

Very strong performance from Hurt and one of the most poignant depictions of a father-child relationship.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Audience Member

A very perceptive account of the way that 'they f**k you up, your Mum and Dad'. Both protagonists have been damaged by their parents, and the plot revolves around their engagement with each other and the personal growth that each achieves as a result. Not an easy film, and a little contrived in places. Plenty to think over, though.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

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Audience Member

William Hurt could have worked on his accent a little more before starting this film, but the story and drama get deep and is a fascinating exploration of father-son relationships.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Audience Member

This is a exceptional treatment of an emotional subject.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

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Chris Menges

Director

William Hurt

Graham Holt

Chris Cleary Miles

James

Keith Allen

John

Prunella Scales

Margery

Jane Horrocks

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Synopsis

Graham Holt (William Hurt) is a reclusive Welsh postal worker who lives with his terminally ill father. Aware that he'll soon be alone, Graham decides to adopt a son, but, because he's a single man, he's told he'll be offered only the most troubled children available. He soon begins a visitation period with a volatile young boy named James (Chris Cleary Miles) whose mother committed suicide and whose father (Keith Allen) is serving time in jail.

Director: Chris Menges
Producer: Sarah Radclyffe
Production Co: Alcor Films, New Regency Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $68.5K
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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