Best Laid Plans (2012) Reviews

• Of Fights and Men

  wildsheep2012-01-27

  This really is very good but I think they've misjudged the trailer. This isn't really a gangster thriller or a fighting movie - it is actually a reimagining/reworking of Of Mice and Men. A petty criminal, Danny (Stephen Graham), cares for a giant of a man with learning difficulties, Joseph (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje). When Danny gets in trouble with a local crime boss he persuades Joseph to take part in a series of illegal cage fights in order to pay off his debt. OK, so far it sounds like a gangster/fighting flick, I grant you, but what has been left out of the trailer is the sub plot about Joseph falling in love with a young woman, also with learning difficulties, played by Maxine Peake. I say 'learning difficulties' as I have no idea what the acceptable terminology is these days. Special needs? Luckily the film is down-to-earth and honest and doesn't pussyfoot around like I am. The characters speak as they would in real life, which does result in one very funny line which everyone in the audience laughed at but wouldn't dare repeat outside of the cinema*. The subplot is handled with skill and care. The actors all turn in fine performances, especially Stephen Graham as the quick-witted but ultimately self-destructive central character and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as the simple giant, Joseph. Their relationship, as you discover more and more about it, it utterly believable and is the central spine of the whole film. It's not a life changer but it is fine piece of work and well worth checking out if you get the chance.

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• Great performances from a superb cast...

  jon-dav-121-4039362012-02-27

  Not sure what film Dodgy-Milk was watching, but it wasn't the same film as me. Maybe something like "War Horse" would be more to their taste... This is a gritty character study about hopes & dreams, manipulation, deceipt, selfishness, betrayal but ultimately love, albeit it a little unorthodox. It is "loosely" (and I mean very loosely) based on Stienbeck's "Of Mice and Men" and if you're familiar with the book you'll get it but it's used more as an idea for the film, rather than a screenplay. I thoroughly enjoyed it, I thought the main performances from Steven Graham, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Maxine Peake were excellent with strong support performances from the other members of the cast particularly David O'Hara who is in menacing form. Throughout the film, it's funny, uncomfortable, tender and shocking in equal measure... It is a very "British" film and if you're expecting a "Hollywood" blockbuster because you've seen Graham as Al Capone in the brilliant Boardwalk Empire, this might not be the film for you. It's a good 8/10 from me and I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes "proper" films...

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• Deeply moving in its own way

  goatbut292012-04-10

  I was very impressed with this film. The actor playing Joseph was nothing short of brilliant and tender. I found myself wishing that no matter how it ended, Joseph would be taken care of. I must give props to the director for putting it all together in such a soft and yet gripping way. Someone had a vision with this piece and I hope they got what they were after. I hope the actor playing Joseph gets the respect he deserves and I feel honored to have stumbled upon this gem. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone old enough to take the emotional pounding.

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• How do films like this get funding ? Because ....

  FiveHundredFlicks2012-03-01

  This is film making, not movie making and if you don't understand the difference you might struggle to understand the film. There are no bombs, flames or explosions but there is plenty of grit, pathos and some tidy cinematography. Because of or in spite of the dreariness of the location where most of it was filmed, Tragic Nottingham ? Dunno, but it fits well. The opening shot of Stephen Graham is worth the price of admission alone and from that shot you know what you're supposed to be going to get. Sadly and all too often, such promise quickly fades but not here. The cast keep it tight enough to hold your interest and loose enough for the dialogue to be relaxed and natural, right through to the inevitable end. This is in no short measure down to the talented cast, held together by Stephen Graham, another British actor from over here, who's doing rather well over there. MORE like this, please, film makers.

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• Well done for what it is.

  Gstephen702012-02-21

  Strong 8 vote from me. Strong performance by both lead actors. SG and AAA are cast well for the roles they are to play in this movie. Both roles are quite convincing. The drug-use and sleaziness is what makes it real. It's not a Hollywood blockbuster and shouldn't be viewed as such. If they spent 500,000 to make it, that would be a lot. But given the strong performances by all the actors, it deserves a watch. Enjoy. Well, IMDb says I have to have 10 lines so I will add the fighting was surprisingly real given AAA's size. As I doubt there was any stunt double for this, my hats off to AAA. Well done man. Another strong show. Wish we could hang. You must have some stories. OK. That's 10 lines. Have a nice day, and check this movie out.

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