The Big Man (1990)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Director:

David Leland

Writers:

Don MacPherson (writer)
William McIlvanney (book)

Release Date:

31 August 1990 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Nothing hits as hard as the things that are really worth fighting for...

Plot:

An unemployed Scottish miner (Liam Neeson) is forced into bare-knuckle boxing to make ends meet. |

Plot Keywords:

Bare Knuckle Fighting | Independent Film | Based On Book

Cast

Kenny Ireland	...	Tony
Liam Neeson	...	Danny Scoular
Joanne Whalley	...	Beth Scoular (as Joanne Whalley-Kilmer)
Billy Connolly	...	Frankie
John Beattie	...	Beth's Father
Amanda Walker	...	Beth's Mother
George Rossi	...	Eddie
Ian Bannen	...	Matt Mason
Pat Roach	...	Billy
Andrew Meaden	...	Wee Danny
Ashleigh Thomas	...	Young Kate
Joseph Greig	...	Willie
Sean Scanlan	...	Alan
Peter Mullan	...	Vince
James Copeland	...	Sam

Also Known As:

Crossing the Line (USA)
The Big Man: Crossing the Line (USA) (video title)

Runtime:

116 min | USA:93 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

France:-12 | Australia:MA (cable rating) | UK:18 | USA:R | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Coalburn, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK

Company:

BSB

Movie Connections:

Featured in Ultimate Fights from the Movies (2002) (V)

Neeson soars as The Big Man

Six years before Liam Neeson was "The Big Fella," he was "The Big Man" in this very underrated and unnoticed film. Fans of Liam Neeson (like yours truly) simply need to see this film! Neeson gives a great performance here in his pre-Schindler's List era as Danny Scoular, a Scottish blue-collar man out on his luck who turns to illegal bare-knuckle boxing to make a buck. As if he didn't have enough troubles coming in, this gets him involved with the mob. A man of principle, Danny is also hurting and desperate, and Liam Neeson runs the show with a great intensity and towering presence.

The Big Man is well written enough not to ruin anything, but some unimaginative dialogue and illogical moves on apart of the characters are found here and there. There is one specific instance of "huh?" writing when crime lord Matt Mason gives a mini speech that makes no sense at all. Something about "God" .... and uh, "contracts" .... and "glory" and I have no idea what he is talking about! Also, the film has an ending that's a tad too melodramatic, but the rest of the story is real good, following Danny around through his hardships.

Neeson is also backed up well by the supporting cast. Comedian Billy Conolly turns in a good supporting performance as Danny's lying and selfish manager Frankie. Conolly is funny of course throughout much of the film, but he also does a good job with the more dramatic scenes. Joanne Whalley does a pretty good job here too as Beth Scoular, Danny's wife, and Hugh Grant even pops up here in the film and isn't too bad generally - although he has trouble holding his Scottish accent. The Big Man is also well filmed with good tracking shots and in your face boxing scenes that would make Rocky shiver. Rounding things off, Ennio Morricone's score for The Big Man isn't his best work but it is perfect for the film. With Liam Neeson carrying the torch, The Big Man is a good film and worth one's time.