Best Laid Plans

OF MICE AND MEN
This is an odd combination of heartwarming friendship and crime. Danny (Stephen Graham) owes a crime boss big money. Joseph (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) is his mentally handicapped friend who is strong as an ox. Danny persuades Joseph to fight in underground cage matches to pay off his debt. This is something Joseph does not like to do.

They both meet girls to add some spice to the plot. The acting was superb. The movie was well written, although I felt I had seen it before while watching it for the first time. For me the film wasn't overly entertaining.

F-bomb, sex, nudity (Emma Stansfield)

Brit Gangland Crime Drama that packs a Real Punch
This film has been `loosely inspired' by John Steinbeck's novel `Of Mice and Men' - hence the title. It is set in Nottingham and starts with Danny (Stephen Graham) getting Joseph (Adewale Akkinuoye-Agbaje) to steal a washing machine, they are stopped by local heavy Curtis (David O'Hara). Danny has had a drug deal go bad leaving him indebted to Curtis, therefore he has to pay some other way.

As he is about to get a kicking, Joseph turns up and steps in to Danny's rescue. His pugilistic skills are thus revealed to Curtis and he can see an alternative way to get Danny's debt discharged. Yes that is in illegal cage fights with Joseph being the secret weapon. Only problem is that Danny has `special needs' and is one of those gentle giant types, and this runs completely contra to his values.

Danny meanwhile seeks solace in alcohol, drugs and prostitutes with a considerable degree of success. He falls for one and endeavours to start a relationship with her. Joseph...

"Of Mice And Men" meets "Snatch". A good but slow moving movie with good acting. Worth a watch though. Very OK. I say B.
After waiting for Danny (Graham) to pay off his debt the local mob boss (O'Hara) is ready to settle up right now. After Danny's large and strong but feeble minded friend Joseph (Akinnuoye-Agbaje) steps in and saves him. The mob boss offers Danny a way out. All he has to do is let Joseph fight in underground cage fights until Danny's debt is paid. This is a dark and depressing updated version of "Of Mice And Men" mixed with a more serious version of "Snatch". The acting is good and the movie itself is very good and very watchable. Like most British movies I have seen there are scenes of intense action that keeps you glued mixed in with scenes that tend to drag on a little bit longer then needed and you start to lose interest in parts. I am in no way saying that this is a bad movie at all because I did like it, but the flow wasn't smooth to me. Danny reminded my a lot of Tony Montana in this movie in the way that you want to root against him, but find yourself rooting for him and want...

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