Once Upon a Time in the Midlands

Sep 6 2002 R 1h 44m
Comedy, Drama, Romance

Dek, a decent but somewhat dull man, enjoys a happy existence with beloved girlfriend Shirley. They live together with her 12-year-old, Marlene: her daughter by the delinquent Jimmy, who flew the coop years ago and hasn't been heard from since. Dek loves Shirley so much that he proposes to her on national television.

Plot

Originally from the Midlands, Jimmy is currently living in Glasgow eking out a living as a hapless petty crook. One day, he sees his old family and friends--including his older foster sister Carol, her boyfriend/his old buddy Charlie, Jimmy's ex-wife and Carol's best friend Shirley, and Jimmy's preteen daughter Marlene--on a television talk show, baring their souls to a national audience. He has not seen any of them in years. On the show, Shirley rejects the marriage proposal of her slightly-awkward live-in boyfriend Dek. Jimmy sees her answer to Dek as a reason to head back to the Midlands to reunite with his past, especially with Shirley and Marlene. Already humiliated, Dek is less than thrilled to see Jimmy back in their lives. In the ensuing duel between Jimmy and Dek for Shirley and Marlene's affections, others get caught up in the crossfire. Meanwhile, three of Jimmy's equally-hapless crook friends from Glasgow come looking for him; he left them high and dry at their latest heist and absconded with all their money.

Written by

Paul Fraser, Shane Meadows

Directed by

Shane Meadows

Production Countries

United Kingdom

Production Companies

Senator Film, Film Council, EM Media, Big Arty Productions

Languages

English

Awards

2 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
4,809
Average Rating
6.1 out of 10
Metascore
56
Popularity
NA