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Once Upon a Time in the Midlands

Play trailer Poster for Once Upon a Time in the Midlands R 2003 1h 43m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
51% Tomatometer 73 Reviews 45% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Jimmy (Robert Carlyle) is a small-time crook living in Glasgow, Scotland, long since absent from the lives of his ex-wife, Shirley (Shirley Henderson), and 12-year-old daughter, Marlene (Finn Atkins), who live in England's Midlands. One day, Jimmy happens to catch Shirley and Marlene on a TV talk show, where Shirley has rejected the proposal of her boyfriend, Dek (Rhys Ifans). Taking this as a sign, Jimmy up and leaves for the Midlands to win Shirley back.
Once Upon a Time in the Midlands

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Critics Consensus

Though the concept is interesting and quirky, the drama fails to deliver.

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Critics Reviews

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Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Nov 16, 2003
2.5/5
In the end, Meadows' film lacks the bite it needs to make us care about this oddball trio, endearing though they are. Go to Full Review Terry Lawson Detroit Free Press Oct 10, 2003
3/4
What Leone did for cowboys and crime, Once Upon a Time in the Midlands does for a more contemporary genre. Go to Full Review Randy Cordova Arizona Republic Oct 9, 2003
2/5
Some strong performances make it go by fairly painlessly, but inconsistencies involving plot and character keep it from ever being more than marginally involving. Go to Full Review Kelly Vance East Bay Express May 5, 2010
Like a Mike Leigh film on steroids, situations don't dawn slowly on these characters, they come crashing down on their heads. Go to Full Review Mark Pfeiffer Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema Apr 14, 2005
C+
The title and the music suggest a Sergio Leone spaghetti western, but the setting and characters would be more at home in a Mike Leigh film. Go to Full Review Philip Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Jan 29, 2005
B
...a wry and likable movie that contents itself with the petty concerns, complications and conflicts that compose modern life. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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thiago s @Thiagostone Jun 19, 2025 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Ola G @Ollie1972 Feb 24, 2022 Jimmy (Robert Carlyle) is a small-time crook living in Glasgow, Scotland, long since absent from the lives of his ex-wife, Shirley (Shirley Henderson), and 12-year-old daughter, Marlene (Finn Atkins), who live in England's Midlands. One day, Jimmy happens to catch Shirley and Marlene on a TV talk show, where Shirley has rejected the proposal of her boyfriend, Dek (Rhys Ifans). Taking this as a sign, Jimmy up and leaves for the Midlands to win Shirley back... This Shane Meadows film has the focus on classic social realism and family values. Robert Carlyle plays what he plays best, a pretty unlikable character in Jimmy. The ensemble cast is ok, but the storyline runs a bit on empty to me. It sort of flatlines and never reaches any entertainment levels. However, it was nice to see Nottingham which I have visited some years ago. See more May 22, 2019 Not sure which direction Meadows wanted to take this film. It started as a comedy then rapidly transformed into a kitchen sink drama that the big names in it could not save. See more May 9, 2019 Awful, annoying, stereotypical crap! Shirley is that annoying I can't imagine anyone wanting to be with her. Turned it off after 40 minutes of trying to convince myself with a phenomenal cast it would get better, but it didn't. See more Jul 11, 2017 The plot was a bit out there but I actually really enjoyed this movie. Maybe that's because I am familiar with being an exiled Scot in England though! See more May 13, 2017 nice drama with a great cast. some good acting but doesn't really go anywhere. See more Read all reviews
Once Upon a Time in the Midlands

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Cast & Crew

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Shane Meadows

Director

Robert Carlyle

Jimmy

Rhys Ifans

Dek

Kathy Burke

Carol

Shirley Henderson

Shirley

Ricky Tomlinson

Charlie

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Once Upon a Time in the Midlands

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Movie Info

Synopsis Jimmy (Robert Carlyle) is a small-time crook living in Glasgow, Scotland, long since absent from the lives of his ex-wife, Shirley (Shirley Henderson), and 12-year-old daughter, Marlene (Finn Atkins), who live in England's Midlands. One day, Jimmy happens to catch Shirley and Marlene on a TV talk show, where Shirley has rejected the proposal of her boyfriend, Dek (Rhys Ifans). Taking this as a sign, Jimmy up and leaves for the Midlands to win Shirley back.
Director
Shane Meadows
Producer
Andrea Calderwood
Screenwriter
Paul Fraser, Shane Meadows
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Big Arty
Rating
R (Language)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 29, 2003, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Jan 28, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$171.8K
Runtime
1h 43m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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