Second Best

Critics Consensus

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100%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 6

78%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 319
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Movie Info

Actor William Hurt delivers one of his most acclaimed performances in this drama from Oscar-winning cinematographer-turned-director Chris Menges. Hurt stars as Graham Holt, a repressed Welsh postmaster who lives a reclusive bachelor's existence with his suicidal father (Alfred Lynch), who is in failing health and is still grieving from the recent death of Graham's mother. Knowing that he'll soon be alone, Graham applies to adopt a troubled ten-year-old boy, James (Chris Cleary Miles), whose own painful history mirrors Graham's. Throughout the long adoption process, supervised by wisecracking social worker Debbie (Jane Horrocks), Graham struggles to win James' affection and respect during weekend visits, while the boy dreams of reconciliation with his father, John (Keith Allen), who is currently serving prison time. Graham's father dies, drawing Graham and James closer, and Graham begins to feel like a real father to James. But when John is released, he appears in town with the shocking news that he is afflicted with AIDS -- and cannot care for his son. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
  • Rating:
    PG-13
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Directed By:
    Chris Menges
  • Written By:
    David Cook (XXII)
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Warner Home Video

Cast

William Hurt
as Graham
Chris Cleary Miles
as James
Keith Allen
as James
Prunella Scales
as Margery
Jane Horrocks
as Debbie
Alan Cumming
as Bernard
John Hurt
as Uncle Turpin
Jodhi May
as Alice
Sophie Dix
as Mary
Nathan Yapp
as James (age 3)
Doris Irving
as Adoption Shop Volunteer
Alfred Lynch
as Edward
Rachel Freeman
as Elsie
Gus Troakes
as Jeffo
Mossie Smith
as Lynn
Martin Troakes
as Colin
James Warrior
as Senior Social Worker
Shaun Dingwall
as Graham (age 20)
Paul Wilson
as Colin (age 20)
Jake Owen
as Jimmy
Jennifer Whitefoot
as Tina
Jubal Bright
as Leggo
Colin Bufton
as Rusty
Richard Storr
as Jef
Owen Shepherd
as Fang
Richard Murray
as Vernon
Ross Edwards
as Pimple
Bryn Askham
as Chris
Geoffrey Leesley
as Eric
Doris Hare
as Mrs. Hawkins
Shirley King
as Enid
Adam Wills
as Graham (age 12)
Giles Emmerson
as Vicar
Mrs. George Albert Smith
as Herself
Nerys Hughes
as Maureen
Philip Swancote
as Policeman
Anne Morrish
as Lizzie
Peter Copley
as Percy
Esther Coles
as Staff Nurse
Tessa Gearing
as Mrs. Hilliard
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Critic Reviews for Second Best

All Critics (6) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (6)

  • William Hurt portrays an unmarried Welsh postmaster who decides to adopt a child after his own parents pass away. Both he and the boy he is assigned have psychological scars, and the gradual revelation of these inner pains is what fuels the plot, but the

    Oct 14, 2004 | Rating: 4/5

    Douglas Pratt

    DVDLaser

  • Zeroes in on the tense but potentially rewarding relationships between fathers and sons.

    Aug 26, 2002 | Full Review…

    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

    Spirituality and Practice
View All Critic Reviews (6)

Audience Reviews for Second Best

  • Sep 21, 2012
    Very strong performance from Hurt and one of the most poignant depictions of a father-child relationship.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Oct 13, 2010
    Really good movie. I am actually surprised that it is from 1994, and I have never seen it before. Where have they been hiding this wonderful film? William Hurt did a great job, and that kid...well what can I say. He deserved an Oscar for this, as far as I am concerned. Very moving. Very touching.
    Cynthia S Super Reviewer
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