The Search for John Gissing

Name: The Search for John Gissing
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2007-07-01T13:52:16-07:00
Rating: 89

Critics Consensus

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81%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 932

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The Search for John Gissing Photos

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Movie Info

Alan Rickman and Janeane Garofalo headline writer/director Mike Binder's comedy about an American businessman who is summoned to London under the auspice of overseeing an impending business merger, only to discover that he is actually being groomed to replace his British counterpart - who unfortunately has no intentions of giving up his job. Matthew Barnes (Binder) and his wife (Garofalo) thought they were going to London for a brief business trip, little did they realize Matthew's employer had something a bit more permanent in mind. It seems that the powers that be would like to see Matthew's British counterpart John Gissing (Rickman) fired, and would love for Matthew to step in as his official replacement. But John is no dummy, and he's seen this storm brewing on the horizon for quite some time. Now, instead of stepping down peacefully and allowing the situation to play out as his superiors have planned, John schemes to make the American couple's stay in London as unpleasant as humanly possible by sending them on a series of disastrous and humiliating misadventures.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Comedy
Directed By:

Mike Binder
Written By:

Mike Binder
In Theaters:

Nov 11, 2001 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Aug 12, 2008
Runtime:

91 minutes
Studio:

Sunlight Productions

Cast

Mike Binder
as Matthew Barnes

Janeane Garofalo
as Linda Barnes

Alan Rickman
as John Gissing

Sonya Walger
as Sister Mary

Juliet Stevenson
as Gwyneth Moore

Alan Corduner
as Francois Fuller

Owen Teale
as Giles Hanagan

James Lance
as Donny

Lee Oaks
as Carl Gissing

Angela Pleasence
as Johanna Freilduct

Tim Briggs
as Hotel Clerk

Caroline Holdaway
as Gissing's Assistant

Frank Harper
as Dexter

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News & Interviews for The Search for John Gissing

Alan Rickman: 1946-2016

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Critic Reviews for The Search for John Gissing

All Critics (9) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (1)

A refreshing antidote to gross-out comedies, this is a very funny film, sometimes uproariously so, but it's also low-key and measured.

Aug 12, 2008 | Full Review…

Scott Foundas
Variety
Top Critic
A serviceable comedy; uneven, but offers laughs throughout and doesn't make any serious mistakes

Aug 30, 2007 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

Marty Mapes
Movie Habit
In the midst of all this running around Binder finds a lulling tone, thanks mainly to the quality of the performances.

Aug 30, 2007 | Full Review…

Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
It's Rickman who runs away with the whole film by running the gamut from teflon smoothie to desperate madman.

Aug 5, 2007 | Rating: 3/4

Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews
It's loaded with witty dialogue, and the use of jump cuts gives the movie a distinctive look and a harried, discombobulated pace that absolutely suits the material.

Jul 18, 2007 | Rating: 80/100

Brian Webster
Apollo Guide
Warring tactics in and out of a London boardroom suggest a Molière farce with the characters and plot to carry it off.

Jul 12, 2007 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Jules Brenner
Cinema Signals
Audiences will get more than the adult daily dose of big laughs.

Feb 25, 2002 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

Steve Rhodes
Internet Reviews

View All Critic Reviews (9)

Audience Reviews for The Search for John Gissing

Sep 18, 2007

"until you look in the dictionary and look up the word 'Fine' it means were fucked, ok fucked" Hehe Alan Rickman ! I couldnt wait to get this, i imported it from america and even though it cost me loads it was so worth it! It was funny, interesting and alan rickman looked so gorgeous! The story was interesting and funny and really good probably better than what i thought ! It was about mike binder coming from chicago to replace john gissing but becuase john gissing finds out he messes about with him before they finally decide to join each other and fuck with the company! A really good movie written from mike binder and really fun to watch! Worth a watch! especially alan rickman gorgeously brilliant! Alan Rickman at the end of the movie was fantastic at tap dancing, probably the most funniest and cutest thing to watch in my life!

Film C Super Reviewer