To be honest I think Once upon a time in the Midlands isn’t that good, which I find a real shame because besides Robert, I’m a real Shirley Henderson fan, ever since watching Charles II, The Power and The Passion. (Rufus Sewell, add him to my most enjoyable bad guys list…Those green eyes, wow) Problem in OUATITM is that the characters just don’t have chemistry. The only bit of chemistry is between Shirley and Robert, but the script actually kills that. There isn’t a real story, there is no real comedy, just a lot of swearing. And to top it off there is no sypathy for the characters in the movie, which you find in a movie like Brassed off with Ewan Mc Gregor. In OUATITM they are all just not that likeable, so you don’t feel for them. And just as you do feel for Robert, who is really the only likeable figure, they kill that off by making him behave like an utter jerk.
SPOILER:
I mean even though he made his mistakes, you want him to end up with Shirley, because he loves her and she him, whereas Rhys Ifans is clearly just a placeholder, someone that's safe (and a wet blanket). And still she ends up with Rhys, rather then true love? Not to mention Robert all of a sudden start acting like an arrogant prick and Shirley says nothing. Which is so not like the roles she usually does, and which I love her for. She can be fierce, so small but so powerful, and that I love. Was a real dud for me. Same goes for Rhys Ifans, he does a GREAT manical delusional psycho. Potential for the actors to do what they are actually good at was zero.
The only saving grace of the movie is that MrCarlyle looks most delectable. I mean, he’s really gorgeous looking in it. So, turn off the sound and enjoy the view