Best Laid Plans (2012) User Reviews

Of Fights and Men

[wildsheep · 7/10 · 27 January 2012]

This really is very good but I think they've misjudged the trailer. This isn't really a gangster thriller or a fighting movie - it is actually a reimagining/reworking of Of Mice and Men.

A petty criminal, Danny (Stephen Graham), cares for a giant of a man with learning difficulties, Joseph (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje). When Danny gets in trouble with a local crime boss he persuades Joseph to take part in a series of illegal cage fights in order to pay off his debt. OK, so far it sounds like a gangster/fighting flick, I grant you, but what has been left out of the trailer is the sub plot about Joseph falling in love with a young woman, also with learning difficulties, played by Maxine Peake.

I say 'learning difficulties' as I have no idea what the acceptable terminology is these days. Special needs? Luckily the film is down-to-earth and honest and doesn't pussyfoot around like I am. The characters speak as they would in real life, which does result in one very funny line which everyone in the audience laughed at but wouldn't dare repeat outside of the cinema*.

The subplot is handled with skill and care. The actors all turn in fine performances, especially Stephen Graham as the quick-witted but ultimately self-destructive central character and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as the simple giant, Joseph. Their relationship, as you discover more and more about it, it utterly believable and is the central spine of the whole film. It's not a life changer but it is fine piece of work and well worth checking out if you get the chance.

Rather uncomfortable viewing, but well written enough to be above average

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 7/10 · 23 August 2012]

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

Danny (Stephen Graham) is a scally low life in debt to big time gangster Curtis (David O' Hara) who is threatening to hurt his mentally impaired friend Joseph (Adowayle Agogoboyo Agabala) if he doesn't repay the debt soon. Danny sees no other way out, but to get Josepth to fight in illegal underground cage matches, which he does. But as he delivers more and more, the stakes get raised higher and higher, until Danny is forced to try and find a way out.

Best Laid Plans is a curious effort, that starts by setting itself up one way and from the way it opens, seems to employ a different style to what you were expecting. But, while it ultimately manages to be an effective drama thriller, it remains a film that is unsure of it's tone and style and where it wants to go with itself.

One theme it does settle on and seems to want to stick with through out, is the theme of disability and people with mental impairment problems, which leads to some uneasy and challenging viewing through out, as Joseph develops a romance with a fellow impaired person called Isabel (Maxine Peake), coming up against various trials and tribulations because of it. It's a surprising and daring theme to want to stick in a tale like this, and it doesn't help how morally reprehensible the lead character emerges, using his so called friend to fight in cage matches so he can pay off his grubby little debt to some gangster, while developing a relationship with call girl Lisa (Emma Stansfield) that takes an unconvincing turn at the end.

The film aims to be a simple 'down on his luck ne'er do well trying to get out of bother' tale, that ends up being a dark look in to how callous and predatory human instincts can be. For all this, it remains a fairly well written, ambitious film with some reliably steely lead performances from the two lead stars. It's dogged determination to make the viewer feel a bit uncomfortable really is a blessing and a curse for it, though. ***

"Of Mice And Men" meets "Snatch". A good but slow moving movie with good acting. Worth a watch though. Very OK. I say B.

[cosmo_tiger · 6/10 · 22 May 2012]

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 him to succeed. That may just be me though. Overall, a serious and somewhat slow moving "Snatch" like version of "Of Mice And Men" that is worth a watch. I thought it was good. I give it a B.

Of Mice and Meth

[rooprect · 30 November 2014]

"Best Laid Plans" is a gripping film loosely based on the Steinbeck novel "Of Mice and Men". Don't worry, the story differs considerably enough that nothing is spoiled if you're up on your Steinbeck. The story is woven around an odd pair: the mentally challenged gentle giant "Joseph" (phenomenally played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, whom you may remember as the very different Mr. Eko in "Lost") and his guardian, the small-time crook "Danny" (Stephen Graham).

The two seem to have a modestly idyllic life, pulling off small capers to make a living and fishing at the local canal. But due to Danny's involvement with the wrong crowd, he gets into a jam where the only way out is for him to submit his buddy Joseph to a very brutal criminal occupation.

The character development and evolution of each man is what makes this interesting to watch. Danny is plagued by guilt for what he is doing to his friend and slowly descending into drug abuse (coke, not meth like in my title--but hey, clever wordplays don't come easy). Kind-hearted Joseph is profoundly altered by the violence he is subjected to. At the same time, each man finds his own love interest, each woman mirroring the harshness and innocence of the 2 men.

"Best Laid Plans" runs the full spectrum of bleakness, brightness, darkness and charm. It begins with a mildly comedic scene but quickly turns heavy when we realize what is at stake. From then on, the film gets heavier and darker, but it remains peppered with some charming & heartwarming scenes involving Joseph. The extreme contrast makes the film unpredictable, suspenseful and sometimes beautifully disturbing. It's the director's ability to mix the two extremes--beauty & brutality--that makes this a poetic experience. If you like character-driven stories set in a tense, gritty environment, then check this one out.

By the way, if you happen to be a pitbull lover (the dog, not the rapper), definitely check this out because it makes a great metaphor for those gentle, lovable mutts who, simply due to their physique and eagerness to please, are subjected to human brutality just like Joseph. I'm sure the metaphor can apply to many things as well. This film will keep you thinking for a long time.

Bittersad

[paaskynen · 7/10 · 18 September 2012]

...as opposed to bittersweet. This British film was advertised on the DVD cover as being in the same vein as Lock, Stock and two Smoking Barrels, or Snatch. As a result I saw it unprepared, which was a good thing. This film is not a crime comedy at all, but a true blue drama. The story is loosely (I would say very loosely) based on Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, featuring a scrawny low-life and a gentle giant who share the same dream. In places it also reminds of Schulberg's The Harder They Fall.

Typically for this buddy movie, it is the smart one of the duo who keeps on dragging doom over the two in his quest for self-destruction. Can he redeem himself before the inevitable sad ending?

OF MICE AND MEN

[nogodnomasters · 6/10 · 7 May 2018]

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)

Where was the script

[r-mace · 2/10 · 1 May 2013]

I watched this film as it was set in Nottingham and I wanted to see how many places I recognised. And that was basically all that held my interest in this film.

I do wonder why people go through all this trouble of getting actors and film crew together etc but along the way seem to forget that the film needs a script as that may allow for some character development and empathy from the viewer.

As they forgot to incorporate a good script, you are left with the usual clichés of the underworld with a highly unrealistic unbelievable improbable story-line. Running alongside all that you have this rather strange - and I think they thought this was clever - romance thing between the carer chap and prostitute juxtaposed with the apparent innocence of Joseph and Isobel - the mentally disadvantaged couple.

I think the cast was pretty good but if they got rid of that silly cage fighting stuff and concentrated on the development of those highly improbable relationships and to make those actually have some meaning then that would have been quite an achievement. But sadly blood and gore is what makes people tick and in this film it just wasn't necessary.

Great performances from a superb cast...

[jon-dav-121-403936 · 8/10 · 27 February 2012]

Not sure what film Dodgy-Milk was watching, but it wasn't the same film as me. Maybe something like "War Horse" would be more to their taste...

This is a gritty character study about hopes & dreams, manipulation, deceipt, selfishness, betrayal but ultimately love, albeit it a little unorthodox. It is "loosely" (and I mean very loosely) based on Stienbeck's "Of Mice and Men" and if you're familiar with the book you'll get it but it's used more as an idea for the film, rather than a screenplay.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, I thought the main performances from Steven Graham, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Maxine Peake were excellent with strong support performances from the other members of the cast particularly David O'Hara who is in menacing form. Throughout the film, it's funny, uncomfortable, tender and shocking in equal measure...

It is a very "British" film and if you're expecting a "Hollywood" blockbuster because you've seen Graham as Al Capone in the brilliant Boardwalk Empire, this might not be the film for you.

It's a good 8/10 from me and I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes "proper" films...

How do films like this get funding ? Because ....

[FiveHundredFlicks · 8/10 · 1 March 2012]

This is film making, not movie making and if you don't understand the difference you might struggle to understand the film.

There are no bombs, flames or explosions but there is plenty of grit, pathos and some tidy cinematography.

Because of or in spite of the dreariness of the location where most of it was filmed, Tragic Nottingham ? Dunno, but it fits well.

The opening shot of Stephen Graham is worth the price of admission alone and from that shot you know what you're supposed to be going to get.

Sadly and all too often, such promise quickly fades but not here. The cast keep it tight enough to hold your interest and loose enough for the dialogue to be relaxed and natural, right through to the inevitable end.

This is in no short measure down to the talented cast, held together by Stephen Graham, another British actor from over here, who's doing rather well over there.

MORE like this, please, film makers.

Well done for what it is.

[Gstephen70 · 8/10 · 21 February 2012]

Strong 8 vote from me. Strong performance by both lead actors. SG and AAA are cast well for the roles they are to play in this movie. Both roles are quite convincing. The drug-use and sleaziness is what makes it real. It's not a Hollywood blockbuster and shouldn't be viewed as such. If they spent 500,000 to make it, that would be a lot. But given the strong performances by all the actors, it deserves a watch. Enjoy. Well, IMDb says I have to have 10 lines so I will add the fighting was surprisingly real given AAA's size. As I doubt there was any stunt double for this, my hats off to AAA. Well done man. Another strong show. Wish we could hang. You must have some stories. OK. That's 10 lines. Have a nice day, and check this movie out.

good

[riggabigg · 26 February 2012]

A really good movie .. The characters are 99% The script does not ruin it ..

It's a really good performance ..

The story is whole ....

It kept me at least 99% through the whole movie...

If the score is from 1 to 10 . i will give it about 8.4 .. but there are of course things u have to get by .. meaning ... slow beginning.. but the movie is great. I recommend it .....

It is a movie about .. when men/women .. are faced with no choice at all

Let's go fishing....

[FlashCallahan · 8/10 · 6 May 2012]

Loosely based on 'Of Mice And Men', the film brings us into Notingham and into lives of two men, one with a mental age of seven.

Graham gets into trouble with the local gangster, and owes him £10,000, but has no means of paying. The gangster decides that Agbaje should be introduced into the world of underground fighting, in order to pay off Grahams debt....

It's a marvellous little film, which is harrowing and heart warming at the same time, thanks to the two central performances. They really have great chemistry, and make the film as good as it should be.

The film does suffer from the old cliché of the gangster, and O'Hara, despite being very god, is your by the numbers gangster, down to the fancy apartment and the endless supply of henchmen.

It's a shame that this film will attract the wrong audience, thanks to the awful cover that will attract the Danny Dyer fan, and thus end up with negative feedback.

Ignore the cover, it's a wonderful movie, with a sense of unease from the moment Agbaje steals a washing machine, but also very funny in places too.

Brilliant!

[bobmenfl-1 · 10/10 · 21 June 2012]

One can pay all the usual compliments to British Film Making e.g underplayed, gritty,thoughtful, etc. but I think this movie is exceptional. The story line is well crafted and the acting from all participants, is superb. The "Mentally Disabled" roles played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Maxine Peake are sensitively portrayed and Stephen Graham is,as always,brilliant! The fight scenes are particularly "Squirm Making"and the dreary Nottingham scenics were well chosen and cleverly filmed. I find it hard to believe that it only rates 6 on the IMDb site! Great work from you British Film Makers Keep'em coming!

Deeply moving in its own way

[goatbut29 · 8/10 · 10 April 2012]

I was very impressed with this film. The actor playing Joseph was nothing short of brilliant and tender. I found myself wishing that no matter how it ended, Joseph would be taken care of.

I must give props to the director for putting it all together in such a soft and yet gripping way. Someone had a vision with this piece and I hope they got what they were after.

I hope the actor playing Joseph gets the respect he deserves and I feel honored to have stumbled upon this gem.

I would highly recommend this movie to anyone old enough to take the emotional pounding.

British cinema at its best

[tonyfitz777 · 10/10 · 28 February 2012]

First of all, let me say that there is a certain statement of fact to be made about 'Best Laid Plans' and it is this.

If you have any appreciation or respect at all for the medium of British Independent film, then the sleeve credits alone will ensure that you simply cannot pass this one by. I say "will ensure" because "should ensure" in this context would quite simply be a redundant phrase.

Credits do not of course guarantee that any film will live up to its promise, but realistically speaking, anybody who loves and understands this genre and appreciates the luminaries within it would be a fool to bet against the credibility of the acting and directional talent gathered here.

Which is why it is interesting and refreshing to hear the views of a couple of American critics on this platform, and equally why one British critic, puzzling though his observations are, is probably better ignored.

Not that I wish to dwell too much on the critique of other critiques, it's just that this film delivers so much bang for what was probably its buck, and does it on so many levels that it is difficult to imagine where such scathing detraction could possibly come from. The leveller here is a simple one, if you don't like this movie... then you just don't get it.

First and foremost, what we have here is a damned good story. Start with a big black guy carrying a washing machine and wonder where on earth this could possibly be going. What you get is an intriguing premise, with even more intriguing sub-plots woven into it, no spoilers coming here by the way... see the movie.

An often unavoidable truth with independent cinema is that in return for that elusive damned good story, it is never by any means certain (given the absence of Hollywood's millions) that you are going to get any icing on your cake.

Yet in this regard "Best Laid Plans" exacts itself as a true David to Hollywood's flabby Goliath. Take some Ken Loach style social realism, throw in some Nick Love style menace, some convincingly stylised violence, and not one but two touching love stories. Then start dealing with some deep themes,like isolation, greed, relationships, and while you're at it why not be audacious enough to examine the concept of love, with stark honesty and through a slightly skewed lens?

Why not indeed? This is a brave piece of storytelling and you really don't get away with this kind of stuff without a pretty slick script and a bunch of stellar performances from a gifted cast. Chris Green is definitely one to watch in terms of the former.

I would equally have to concede some understatement in comparing David Blair with any other director. Since he has clearly taken both script and cast and made the whole thing fly.

So there must be a downside...perhaps the shooting?

Nope, it's all dark and brooding when it needs to be and bright and evocative when it doesn't.

So you may want to consider for a minute the ruminations on the philosophical themes of lost souls, complicated relationships and life's meaning at, let's say the estimated $32,000,000 price tag at which "Tree of Life" came in.

Hell of a lot of icing there... but not much in the way of cake.

And then see this gem and be thankful... because Hollywood would simply have ruined it.

Great tale...lovely film...highly recommend

[stani101 · 10/10 · 5 May 2012]

Where to start from with this film? Any expectations of Hollywood glamor in this film is certain to result in some dissatisfaction as there is none of that. This is purely a British flick, but even at that I was held spellbound from the start till the end. Of course, some would cringe at the story line of exploiting a retarded individual for the purpose of "business", I would tell such people to get real, because such evil exists. People take advantage of the underprivileged everyday and it is not gonna end anytime soon. I believe it took some courage to make a film based on this and I must applaud the performance from all who acted in this film most especially Adewale and Stephen. Well done, great film. 10 out of 10 for an excellent flick.

Brilliant film. Ignore the marketing.

[rtmcdarby · 8/10 · 14 September 2013]

If you're a fan of broader British cinema & Danny Graham give this a try with as little preconception as possible - if you're expecting a 'British gangster film' along the veins of 'Snatch' or anything else Guy Richie has made you may well be disappointed...or pleasantly surprised. Are there gangsters? Yes. Is there violence? Yes. Is there sex & drugs? Yes. Are there clichés? Yes Are any of these things what the film is fundamentally about? Or particularly gratuitous? No. They're part of a delicate story that has at it's heart a touching, but not exactly 'touchy-feely' relationship between a lovably flawed scouse rogue & his friend, a giant black guy with a gentle nature & learning difficulties - as they become increasingly caught up in a tragic & dangerous situation that forces them to go against their own natures & indeed, their friendship. Both characters have their own unique charm & their separate sub plots are just as enjoyable as the central story, in fact they're inseparable from it, giving it's simple premise the legs to move to different situations & emotional places quickly & seamlessly. The cynic in me saw a lot of potential clichés in the style & the story, but whenever the film fell into them I was surprised & delighted to find they were the moments that really struck a chord.

From what I've seen & read 'Best Laid Plans' is a film that has suffered from some awful marketing at a time in cinema when it's difficult to sell a complex & moving British story to a British audience, let alone an American one. Luckily for me, I just read a few simple sentences about the plot, looked at the cast & pressed play hoping for the best (thank you Netflix). I imagine in a few years time, when enough people have seen the film & forgotten the trailers, it will find greater appreciation.

Gritty but very good drama

[MattyGibbs · 8/10 · 14 December 2013]

Best Laid Plans is a British drama about a small time crook and his friendship with a man with learning difficulties. It is very much a modern day 'Of Mice and Men'.

Stephen Graham is a very good actor and he excels in his role as the carer who struggles with moral dilemma's concerning their friendship. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is excellent as the gentle giant. There are a few clichés among the backing characters but the strong cast do a good job with what they have.

This is a relationship and character driven film and those looking for an action film will be disappointed. However for fans of gritty drama there is more than enough to keep your interest throughout the film. Some viewers may find it an uncomfortable film to watch due to it's themes and there are some brutal scenes.

It is a bit of an uneven film at times but the ending really does make the film worthwhile. It is one of the most best shot endings of any film I've seen.

Best Laid Plans is well worth watching.