GREENFINGERS

UK, 2000, 96 minutes, Colour.
Clive Owen, Helen Mirren, David Kelly, Warren Clark, Danny Dyer, Natasha Little, Lucy Punch.
Directed by Joel Hershman.




A pleasant, if slight British comedy.

It is based on actual characters which gives the whimsical tone a little more seriousness. As the title indicates, it is a film about gardening, about a prisoner who lives on resentment and surliness, who gets the opportunity to do something with his life through his greenfingered talent. Clive Owen (Croupier) is usually a sullen presence on screen and this is the way he starts off here. He has to share a cell with an old reformed murderer (David Kelly, the old man from Waking Ned) and is gradually mellowed by contact with him, especially when the first flowers grow.

Since this is a progressive prison, the governer is keen that the prisoners rehabilitate themselves through their creative work. A motley group of gardeners improve the gaol, go out on garden assistance, especially through the patronage of celebrity gardener (Helen Mirren) and her PR manager daughter (Natasha Little). While romance blossoms (as do the flowers), complications doom the attempt by the prisoners to prepare an exhibition for the Chelsea Flower Show.

But... An easygoing, undemanding comedy.


1. A pleasing small British comedy? Oddball situations, characters, interactions? And, despite being a prison film, niceness?

2. The British prison, the traditions of British prison films, the differences? The open prison, the role of the guards, fences, prisoners being on their honour? The prisoners liking it there? The jobs, allotted, prisoners finding that they liked jobs, achievements?

3. The settings of the prison, the local countryside, the gardens, the estate, the Hampton Court show? The musical score?

4. Colin as the focus of the story? His background, not wanting to talk about his crime, being released, missing prison and a petty crime to get back there? The governor and his role? The choice of Colin for the open prison? The touch of the sullen and his not choosing a job? The friendship with Fergus, patient with him? Fergus enthusiastic, giving the seeds to Colin, his carelessly sowing them? The result? The repercussions for Colin? Enjoying being a gardener, claiming this with the parole board? The development of the gardens, at the estate? The meeting with Georgina, her supervising the work, the plan for the show? Colin and the encounter with Primrose, her relationship with her mother, falling in love? And the final achievement?

5. Fergus, old, in prison for life, his view of life, friendship with the prisoners, the seeds for Colin? Encouraging him? The work with the gardens, the show?

6. The governor, his role, attitude, the open prison, dealing with the prisoners?

7. The range of prisoners, Tony, Raw, Jimmy, their work in the gardens, the effect on them, stealing, escaping – and the final explanation?

8. Georgina, her background, the touch of the haughty, skill with gardens, interest in the prisoners, working with them, the show, the day of the judging, success?

9. Primrose, her name, relationship with her mother, the encounter with Colin, falling in love – and a pleasing romance?

10. The benign glimpse of England, the touches of self-satire, the touches of sentiment – but with the expected British reserve?