There's Only One Jimmy Grimble

Infobox Film
name = There's Only One Jimmy Grimble


caption = DVD cover
director = John Hay
written by = Rik Carmichael
Simon Mayle
John Hay
produced by = Jeremy Bolt
Bill Godfrey
Claire Hunt
Andrea Calderwood
Alison Jackson
Alexis Lloyd
Sarah Radclyff
starring = Robert Carlyle
Lewis McKenzie
Jane Lapotaire
Gina McKee
Ben Miller
Samia Smith
release date = UK 25 August 1999
runtime = 106 minutes (1 hour 46 minutes)
language = English

"There's Only One Jimmy Grimble" is a 1999 film set around Oldham, Greater Manchester, England. The film centred around one young boy's dream to play for Manchester City F.C.

Plot

A boy who dreams of becoming a football star discovers his dreams might not be as far-fetched as they seem in this comedy-drama. Jimmy Grimble (Lewis McKenzie) is a 15-year-old misfit living in Manchester, where nothing seems to go his way. Jimmy is constantly threatened by the school bully, "Gorgeous" Gordon (Bobby Power); he is also not sure what to make of Johnny (Ben Miller), a lost-in-the-ozone biker who is dating Donna (Gina McKee), Jimmy's mum; and he has a crush on one of his classmates, Sara (Samia Smith), who seems to like him, but his powers of speech invariably fail him when he tries to talk to her. Like most Mancunians, Jimmy loves football, but instead of rooting for Manchester United, he is a fervent supporter of the Manchester City team. Jimmy also loves to play football, but while Eric (Robert Carlyle), the coach of his school's team, thinks he has potential, "Gorgeous" is already a skilled player, and when Gordon's father informs the school he will make a large and much-needed donation if their team makes it to the Manchester Schools Cup games, it looks like Jimmy will be on the bench for a while. But when an old woman gives Jimmy a pair of shoes that once belonged to one of Manchester City's greatest players, his skills on the field begin to change. "There's Only One Jimmy Grimble" also features Ray Winstone, Jane Lapotaire, and John Henshaw.

The film was shot around the grounds of The Hulme Grammar School, Oldham, which has been turning out Jimmy Grimbles since 1895. Also shot around the grounds of Scarisbrick hall School, Scarisbrick, lancs

Cast

* Lewis McKenzie ... Jimmy Grimble
* Jane Lapotaire ... Alice Brewer
* Gina McKee ... Donna
* Ben Miller ... Johnny Two Dogs
* Wayne Galtrey ... Walkway Kid
* Ciaran Griffiths ... Psycho
* Bobby Power ... 'Gorgeous' Gordon Burley
* Robert Carlyle ... Eric Wirral
* Samia Smith ... Sara
* Antony Marsh ... Crane
* Sean Delaney ... Brick
* Charles Denton ... The Cat
* Azmier Ahmed ... Elvis
* John McArdle ... Headmaster
* Ann Aris ... Governor 1
* Charlie Barton ... Background Artist 1 (The shopper)
* Edward Platt ... Background Artist 2 (The looker)

Movie References

* The Terminator 1984- During the opening scene Jimmy references the film, while talking to himself in the mirror.
* A Nightmare on Elm Street 1984 - 27 minutes into the film, one of the bullies tells Jimmy that Freddie Krueger has nightmares because of Jimmy's mum.
* Lethal Weapon 1987 - During the opening scene Jimmy references the film while talking to himself in the mirror.

External links

*
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2000/08/22/jimmy_grimble_review.shtml] at BBC Films