Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (2002)

In the heart of the Midlands, the echoes of the past ripple through the present as Jimmy, a hapless petty crook now residing in Glasgow, spots his estranged family on a television talk show. Amidst familiar faces, he sees Shirley, his ex-wife, and Marlene, his pre-teen daughter, baring their souls to a national audience. A pang of nostalgia and longing stirs in Jimmy as he witnesses Shirley rejecting a marriage proposal from Dek, her slightly awkward but devoted live-in boyfriend. Sensing an opportunity in this televised rebuff, Jimmy decides to leave his sordid life in Glasgow behind and return to his old stomping grounds. Dek, already publicly humiliated by Shirley's rejection, finds his relatively peaceful existence disrupted by the sudden reappearance of Jimmy, the charismatic but irresponsible man from Shirley's past. As the battle for the affections of Shirley and Marlene unfolds, the Midlands becomes a stage for a duel between the reliable but dull Dek, and Jimmy, the exciting but unreliable prodigal father. In this tug-of-war of emotions, friendships are tested, loyalties are questioned, and bystanders find themselves caught in the crossfire. Meanwhile, back in Glasgow, a trio of Jimmy's inept criminal comrades, who he left in the lurch after their latest heist, embark on a quest for retribution. As they head towards the Midlands, the stakes rise for Jimmy, who not only has to win back his family but also dodge the wrath of his betrayed allies. 'Once Upon a Time in the Midlands' weaves a tapestry of love, family, friendship, and redemption, offering a slice of life from the heart of Britain.

Once Upon a Time in the Midlands is a comedy movie featuring James Cosmo.

Once Upon a Time in the Midlands is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on The Roku Channel.