Once Upon a Time in the Midlands

Audience Reviews

View All (160) audience reviews

Audience Member Jimmy (Robert Carlyle) is a small-time crook living in Glasgow, Scotland, long since absent from the lives of his ex-wife, Shirley (Shirley Henderson), and 12-year-old daughter, Marlene (Finn Atkins), who live in England's Midlands. One day, Jimmy happens to catch Shirley and Marlene on a TV talk show, where Shirley has rejected the proposal of her boyfriend, Dek (Rhys Ifans). Taking this as a sign, Jimmy up and leaves for the Midlands to win Shirley back... This Shane Meadows film has the focus on classic social realism and family values. Robert Carlyle plays what he plays best, a pretty unlikable character in Jimmy. The ensemble cast is ok, but the storyline runs a bit on empty to me. It sort of flatlines and never reaches any entertainment levels. However, it was nice to see Nottingham which I have visited some years ago. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Not sure which direction Meadows wanted to take this film. It started as a comedy then rapidly transformed into a kitchen sink drama that the big names in it could not save. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Awful, annoying, stereotypical crap! Shirley is that annoying I can't imagine anyone wanting to be with her. Turned it off after 40 minutes of trying to convince myself with a phenomenal cast it would get better, but it didn't. Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review anthony p I've not visited this film for a few years. I can see why. It plays more like a television series than a film. The ingredients of a decent film are there in terms of a British cast. Well known talent like Robert Carlyle, Ricky Tomlinson and Kathy Burke as well as mutterings of Reeves and Mortimer, the UK comic duo. The music at times is meant to resemble the spaghetti western of similar name. Robert Carlyle plays a Glasweigan hot head that immediately reminded me of his role as Begbie in the Trainspotting films. The Trainspotting connection also continues with other casting. Director Shane Meadows is known for making films in his Nottingham home. This movie is such an example. The backbone of the film is the relationship history of Robert Carlyle (Jimmy) his 'ex' partner Shirley (Shirley Henderson) and her current partner Dek (Rhys Ifans). The film does have some mildly comedic moments of quite shocking events but the film was average in my eyes. A film to stay in the archives perhaps. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member The plot was a bit out there but I actually really enjoyed this movie. Maybe that's because I am familiar with being an exiled Scot in England though! Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member nice drama with a great cast. some good acting but doesn't really go anywhere. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Once Upon a Time in the Midlands

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Most Popular at Home Now