Second Best

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Second Best

PG-13

1994

1h 45m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

80%

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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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

01/01/2000

3/4

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

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Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

09/21/2005

3/5

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

07/24/2005

3/5

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

08/26/2002

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

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Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

07/29/2002

3/5

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Mo S.

@9mr_0 Dec 4

الفلم جميل (كئيب /بطيىء/ حزين/ صامت في بعض الاحيان)لكن القصه جميله يمكن حصلو على الامان الي يتمناه واحد من الاخر في النهايه و اداء رائع من البطل

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Cody H

Apr 30

This film is a touching masterpiece of human bonding, PTSS, struggles of life, and above all, the longing to be loved. The moments of silence speak with emotion and brings the story to a level of depth. The complicated structures of trust and where do I belong, are genuine and intriguing. The broken stories of both the main characters, felt with loss and sadness of never being good enough, is a process of healing together. A feel good film that stays with you.

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Mike M

Jan 5

adding this for myself as much as anyone else, an interestig and unsual premis, hurt plays a socially awkward man who adopts a young boy in wales. good character portrayals, worth watching

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steve p

@pycni3-sabmIq-gihtes 01/22/2019

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

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04/10/2016

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

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09/21/2012

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

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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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