Ratcatcher

Nov 12 1999 Not Rated 1h 34m
Drama

James Gillespie is 12 years old. The world he knew is changing. Haunted by a secret, he has become a stranger in his own family. He is drawn to the canal where he creates a world of his own. He finds an awkward tenderness with Margaret Anne, a vulnerable 14 year old expressing a need for love in all the wrong ways, and befriends Kenny, who possesses an unusual innocence in spite of the harsh surroundings.

Official Trailer
Plot

Glasgow, summer, 1973. Dustmen are striking; bags of garbage add to the blight of council flats and a fetid canal. Ryan, who's about 12, drowns during a play fight with his neighbor, the jug-eared James. James runs home, a flat where he lives with his often-drunk da, his ma, and sisters, who live in hope of moving to newly-built council flats. The slice-of-life, coming-of-age story follows James as he tags along with the older lads; has a friendship with his quirky wee rodent-loving neighbor, Kenny; spends time with Margaret Anne, myopic, slightly older, the local sexual punching bag; and, has a moment or two of joy. The strike may end, but is there any way out for James?

Written by

Lynne Ramsay

Directed by

Lynne Ramsay

Cast

Tommy Flanagan, Mandy Matthews, William Eadie

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United Kingdom, France

Production Companies

Holy Cow Films, Canal+, Les Productions Lazennec, Arts Council of England, BBC Films, Pathé Pictures International

Languages

English

Awards

Won 1 BAFTA Award12 wins & 6 nominations total

Trailers
Ratcatcher - Trailer Shot on 35mm (1999), Cameraman Me Nick J Barret
Ratcatcher (1999) Original Trailer [HD]
Official 25th Anniversary Trailer
Trailer
Scores
# of Votes
13,160
Average Rating
7.5 out of 10
Metascore
77
Popularity
NA