Mr In-Between
Mr In-Between (also called The Killing Kind) is a 2001 British crime drama film based on the novel of the same title by English novelist Neil Cross. The film was directed by cinematographer Paul Sarossy, his only directorial role to date, and the screenplay written by Peter Waddington, who also has a small role in the film.
Mr In-Between | |
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Theatrical poster | |
Directed by | Paul Sarossy |
Produced by | Andreas Bajohra Michael Cowan Yvonne Michael Jason Piette Bob Portal |
Written by | Peter Waddington Neil Cross (novel) |
Starring | Andrew Howard Geraldine O'Rawe Andrew Tiernan David Calder |
Music by | Jennie Muskett |
Cinematography | Haris Zambarloukos |
Edited by | Eddie Hamilton |
Distributed by | Verve Pictures |
Release date | |
Running time | 98 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Plot summary
In 2002, hitman Jon lives a life of relative solitude, until one day he happens upon an old friend, Andy, and is plunged into an unneeded relationship. The truth slowly unravels about Jon and what he does, endangering the lives of those close to him, and Jon is faced with an ultimatum. He must make his most difficult decision ever: whether to save the woman he loves or kill her and the child.
Cast
Actor | Role |
---|---|
Andrew Howard | Jon |
Geraldine O'Rawe | Cathy |
Andrew Tiernan | Andy |
David Calder | Tattooed Man |
Mark Benton | Phil |
Clive Russell | Mr. Michaelmas |
Saeed Jaffrey | Mr. Basmati |
Clint Dyer | Rickets |
Peter Waddington | Priest |
Gina Yashere | Dancing Woman |
Perry Benson | Nelson |
Al Hunter Ashton | Fat Dave |
Brian Hibbard | Gordon |
Production notes
- Early on, the film's producers were skeptical about the choice of Paul Sarossy, a first-time director and an American in an otherwise all-British production crew, but eventually agreed he was the best man for the job.
- Director Sarossy, better known for his work as a cinematographer, wanted to focus on his directing and told cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos not to let him behind the camera, no matter how hard he persisted, for the duration of the shooting.
- In the original screenplay, as well as in the novel, the tattooed man's lair was a large, Victorian-style manor. But director Paul Sarossy wanted something more dismal, and so writer Peter Waddington revised the scenes to take place in the sewers under the streets of London.
Reception
Derek Elley of Variety called it "unevenly acted and scripted".[3] Jamie Russell of the BBC rated it 3/5 stars and called it "commendably ambitious, but only occasionally successful".[2] Alan Morrison of Empire rated it 3/5 stars and wrote that the film becomes more pretentious as time goes on.[4] Total Film rated it 2/5 stars and called it "intense, reflective yarn" that wallows in sadism.[5] Time Out London called it bleak, stylistically bold, and occasionally pretentious.[1] David Johnson of DVD Verdict called it "a refreshingly original take on the hitman-with-a-conscience gig."[6] Glenn Erickson of DVD Talk called it "an overachieving straight-to-video feature" that treats its subject matter as more important than it is.[7]
Awards
Mr In-Between won Best UK Feature at Raindance Film Festival.[8] Andrew Howard won Best Actor at the Tokyo International Film Festival.[9]
References
- "Mr In-between". Time Out London. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- Russell, Jamie (29 September 2003). "Mr In-Between". BBC. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- Elley, Derek (21 November 2001). "Review: 'Mr In-Between'". Variety. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- Morrison, Alan. "Mr In-Between". Empire. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- "Mr In-Between". Total Film. 3 October 2003. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- Johnson, David (2 April 2004). "The Killing Kind". DVD Verdict. Archived from the original on 26 April 2004. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- Erickson, Glenn (27 February 2004). "The Killing Kind". DVD Talk. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- Hernandez, Eugene; Mitchell, Wendy (8 November 2002). "DAILY NEWS: European Film Award Nominees, Raindance Winners, and iW Buzz for the Week". Indiewire. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- Bourton, Tom (9 January 2003). "Actor reprises Hopkins' Lionheart role". BBC News Online. Retrieved 23 December 2013.