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Second Best

Play trailer Poster for Second Best PG-13 1994 1h 45m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.
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Second Best

Critics Reviews

View All (5) Critics Reviews
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 Full Review Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily Rated: 3/5 Sep 21, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 3/5 Jul 24, 2005 Full Review Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice Zeroes in on the tense but potentially rewarding relationships between fathers and sons. Aug 26, 2002 Full Review Philip Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Rated: 3/5 Jul 29, 2002 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review Audience Member Fairly gripping drama, a bit long and drawn out in parts Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Audience Member This is a exceptional treatment of an emotional subject. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Second Best

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Movie Info

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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