Indeed, an intriguing film. The trailer is at


And you can order the book the film is based on at Amazon:

"A unique biography of a homeless man and a complete portrait of the hidden underclass.

‘So here it is, my attempt at the story of Stuart Shorter, thief, hostage taker, psycho and sociopath street raconteur, my spy on how the British chaotic underclass spend their troubled days at the beginning of this century: a man with an important life. I wish I could have presented it to Stuart before he stepped in front of the 11.15 train from London to Kings Lynn.’

Stuart Shorter’s brief life was one of turmoil and chaos. In this remarkable book, a masterful act of biographical restoration, Alexander Masters retraces Stuart’s troubled journey. Stuart was homeless, with many of the problems this sub-section of English society display; alcoholism, drug-addiction, crime, violence. Scattered with glimpses of the author’s friendship with Stuart in the years before his death, Masters gives us Stuart’s life in reverse, tracing his route backwards through the post-office heists and attempts at suicide and the spells inside many of this country’s prisons, on back to a troubled time at school and learning difficulties and a violent childhood that acted like a springboard into the trouble that was to follow him all his life.

This extraordinary book is a glimpse at the underbelly of English society, a world largely hidden from our lives. Funny, despairing, uplifting, brilliantly-written, it is one of the most original biographies of recent years."

Last edited by The Doctor (October 11, 2012 4:30 am)

Thanks, Kazza, what a wonderful interview. I love his intelligent, sensitive way of talking about his work and how he constantly touches his face (which seems to be a quirk often commented upon).

Such a good movie, yeah. Tom was hard to understand, but what a character! Great acting from both. But Tom's part was just nuts.

kazza474 wrote:

And yes, it was made pre-lisp correction times, lol.

Oh wait, did he actually correct it? I assumed he just learned to "turn it off" when he's acting but still spoke with it when he didn't have to think about it.

Yes.
I think Tom was great in it but then he had a very extrovert part in which he could give it everything. Alexander is a much more restrained person, an observer of Tom's eccentric and at the same time moving behaviour. But it's wonderful to see how he gives up his reservations and becomes Stuart's true friend.

Well, mumbling was in character. I didn't have any trouble understanding him but English is my first language so that would help

Just watched this one and even though I encountered the same problem (UK import DVD with no subtitles --I was hoping for the hard-of-hearing ones but no luck-- and I understood Benedict pretty well but Tom was a nightmare to understand...), it was absolutely delicious, it both made me smile and broke my heart, knowing it's a true story and all. Stuart's really had a difficult life, poor guy.

I think both Tom and Benedict were perfect in their respective parts and they complete each other so well. Alexander makes Stuart realise he is a better person than he thinks (Stuart didn't even understand why would Alexander consider him as a friend) and Alexander seemed to be your very shy kind of guy, tight-ass somehow and Stuart really changes him and makes him see life differently.

Lovely movie!

I think this remains my favourite film of Benedict's.

Last edited by besleybean (November 25, 2013 4:45 pm)

It's a beautiful film. I can understand how you would struggle with Tom's lines. His character is drunk most of the time Definitely watch again with subtitles. I should go watch it again

It remains my favourite of Benedict's film.
I left it with my parents for them to watch..
But I seriously warned them about the dialogue.
Dad doesn't hear great anyway and Mum always moans about people muttering in films!
I have no idea about Tom's background.