In a Man's World (2004) User Reviews

Overall, a disappointment

[Vegaskid · 5/10 · 27 July 2006]

The story was a good idea and the direction provided some really good techniques.

However, this film was seriously let down by an amateurish approach which ran through the script and particularly the youngsters acting. I've seen younger actors turn out far superior performances.

Unfortunately, the parts where the direction was classy was let down by the other 50% where at times, it looked like it was being filmed on a camcorder by somebody with Parkinsons.

The soundtrack started off very promising but ended up deteriorating as the limited budget showed through and the same tracks were played multiple times.

I feel this film was rushed and that if more planning had gone in to it, it could have been a 7/8 out of 10 easily. As it stands...5/10.

Bad script, awful acting, hopeless production = complete Junk-fest.

[jimthing1 · 2 December 2007]

Looked interesting --as many a rubbish film does-- on the box in the rental shop, though turned out to be complete and utter tosh for many a reason...

Firstly, the production values were appalling. The sound was absolutely dreadful, whatever I tried to do with the sound controls on my good Sony telly didn't work. Even the most basic techniques like NOT overdubbing the soundtrack too high in the mix with the dialogue was unachievable by the editor. The recording of the dialogue was truly dire as well, so matching the two mistakes together made even more of a mess aurally. In fact the most boring technique of the 'drone' underscoring every other scene in order to give gravitas to it's self-importance made no sense either, as many of these scenes were just not worthy of such impetus.

Camera work was repetitive, obvious and generic. One got the thought that the director was thinking, "It's a gangster film so we'll use all the clichés found in the genre, chuck 'em in a blender and see what happens!" Well nothing good happens when you copy verbatim what other directors have done, especially when done badly.

Secondly, the script was pointless to say the least. As mentioned by another reviewer, in reality Aberdeen's main problems most certainly do not stem from gangster culture as depicted in this film, but rather like many regions, more from unemployment, lack of opportunities, and therefore the spread of drugs and their use by the young. These issues would clearly make more sense to cover directly in a film to do with this area of Scotland, than this trite attempt to be the next Scottish Scorsese.

Thirdly, the character depiction was unbelievable, as was the acting abilities of all concerned. Drugs being delivered stuck in small bags under chairs in removal vans... gimme a break! The main problem though, was the lack of any back story to the characters, especially the kids. Questions like: what background do they come from, where is the story leading the viewer from and to, etc, all remained unfathomable. The audience is left none the wiser as to the point behind the film's main premise: 'the street is tough' kinda idea...yawn yawn. All about as believable as the accents used in the film, mainly Glaswegian, which is not at all like the accent found in Aberdeen (even I could tell that and I'm from England). Oh, and a 'special' accent created when an Irish guy appears trying to do a generic Scots; again truly awful. But what I noticed in the credits was this lack of ability stemmed from the use of groups of family members, all of which couldn't act, and have never heard of the words like 'understatement' and 'subtlety' in acting style in order to achieve success.

I could go on but I think you've heard enough to put you off any attempt to see this film. *I very much hope for your sake :-) *

Yes, I'd love to give some credit for at least trying on such an apparent low/non-existent budget. But with everything being bad, this is not deserving of even such minor credit. School projects have been better.

A brave try, but not really good enough...

[JoeytheBrit · 3/10 · 21 May 2007]

In A Man's World is one of those films with a lot of heart that, with perhaps just a little more experience on behalf of all concerned, could have been a lot better than it is. A gritty tale of kids caught up with low-life gangsters in Aberdeen, the film falls foul of some poor acting – especially from the kids, who share most of the screen time – and some plot twists that simply fail to convince. Rightly or wrongly, you get the impression that writer/director Lee Hutcheon's script has some autobiographical elements, but sometimes truth is, not only stranger, but sillier than fiction, and the idea for example of a bunch of tough gangsters taping two dozen wee bags of smack to the underside of a seat for transportation across town in a removal truck is quite frankly laughable – which is the kiss of death when you're trying to reflect sombrely upon the intransigence of fate and the harsh choices facing youth born to the slums of Scotland.

Too often, the film is derivative of the work of other, better directors. Scorses used doo-wop music in his flicks to establish a feel for time and place: Hutcheon does it simply because Scorsese did – after all, what has 50s American doo-wop to do with present-day Scotland?

Avoid!

[peterjohnson62 · 1/10 · 27 October 2006]

If you want to see an example of how not to make a film, watch this. I'd looked forward to seeing this, if for no better reason than being an Aberdonian by birth, and the culture and city of the North East basically don't exist in representations in Scottish TV, far less in film releases. But this is badly acted, trite, corny and with a plot and storyline that would be more believable in some tough part of Glasgow or Manchester rather than Aberdeen. Sure you could make a plenty gritty, and harrowing tale set in Aberdeen based on drugs and street violence - but people running around with shooters? Dinna think it. I should applaud the director and young actors for at least trying, but even the accents were wrong - Aberdonians trying to sound Glaswegian, Glaswegians trying to sound Aberdonian and an Irishman as local nutter supreme. Aside from that, a hotch potch of cinematic gangster clichés from the doo-wop soundtrack of 60s and 70s mafia flicks to the "moral" crime boss who turns out to be the drugs kingpin dog practically every scene of this movie. It sucks so bad I couldn't finish it. Lee Hutcheon should go and make a more down too earth and realistic tale about how drugs have infected NE fishing communities or driven quines onto the game in the harbour area. There's real drama there without having to ape the devil-child of Trainspotting meets A Bronx Tale. The real story of the sordid underbelly of that most reticent of regions - NE Scotland, remains to be told.

I just watched In a Mans World after i rented it from blockbuster..

[carlobecci · 8/10 · 26 July 2007]

I had never heard of this film before or the company that made it but am really looking forward to their next movie.

I just watched In a Mans World after i rented it from blockbuster and thought that it was great. The film as a whole was a breath of fresh air in the gang film bracket because it was so raw. I thought that the children in it were great and i enjoyed their performances more than the adults in the film. Having said this i also thought that the adults were really good too especially the man whole played Carmel a great central performance.

Carlo Becci - Movie Fan

If this is what Lee Hutcheon can do with no budget I can't wait til someone gives him some cash!

[gillianamartin · 8/10 · 27 September 2006]

In a Man's World impressed me for a number of reasons. Lee took kids who had never acted before and gave this film the authenticity it needed. He also represented a city never before used in a feature film: Aberdeen. Who knew it could be so beautiful? But what's most impressive is that he took a script and turned it into a feature film with no budget. OK, there are some rough edges but we're not talking a megabucks production here! I've seen this film with a talk from the director afterwards and it just proves to me that if you want to make a movie, then don't let anything get in your way. You don't need industry validation to really make something worthwhile. I believe it won a newcomer award at the New York Film Festival also. So give it watch.

A Real, Honest, Gritty, Heartbreaking Story.

[Industryimages · 10/10 · 30 July 2006]

Where do I begin. I found this film to be gritty, haunting, atmospheric and tragical. A realistic portrayal of a world that thankfully my family are not a part of - but know of it's existence. The Cinematography and angles were superb and the cast were also brilliant. This film held my attention right to the end.

This is a very moving tale of today's society whether it be in an underworld or not, it kept me hooked. To have my eyes filled with tears at the end shows that it got my soul and probably many others.

I very much look forward to seeing more films from Director Lee Hutcheon in the future.

This film saved my sons life

[twilightphotos · 10/10 · 7 December 2006]

For quite some time my 12 year old boy had been acting very suspiciously and after some investigation it turned out he was involved with a local gang of youths who were also dealing drugs. My world fell apart when I then discovered that he was in fact taking drugs as well. I didn't even think he knew what drugs was at the age of 12. Luckily I caught him at the experimental stage and he was not addicted to anything in any way.

I found myself in a dark world that I knew nothing about and I found it difficult to talk to him. Then I showed him IN A MANS WORLD and I didn't have to do any talking at all. The film said it all. The portrayal of these kids spiralling deeper and deeper into this dark world may have possibly saved my sons life. One day I hope to shake director Lee Hutcheon's hand for this bold, raw, depiction of the unforgiving society we live in today.

I also understand it was done on very little money with no help from anyone at all. I am looking forward to seeing what Lee Hutcheon will achieve with his first proper budget to do 'Ramensky' The story of safe cracker and War Hero Johnny Ramensky.

From a very happy dad . . . Thank you!

Pushing the boundaries of indy film-making to the max

[essexboyk59 · 10/10 · 11 August 2007]

This film captured my attention sometime ago after reading some of the stories on how it was achieved on next to nothing and hearing a bit about the directors own gang experiences as a kid and how he turned towards indy film-making soon after. Since then I have closely watched the progression of Lee Hutcheon as a filmmaker and have just noticed that he has went and pushed the boundaries of independent film-making even further with his latest project THE CLAN starring James Cosmo. The trailer can be viewed at www.theclanmovie.com and I must say that this looks absolutely dynamite. It seems that the raw seed of IN A MANS WORLD has now blossomed into a beautiful flower with THE CLAN and I think we are going to see some amazing things from this guy in the future.

I hear that his next project RAMENSKY will be shot on a bigger scale budget so this will show us exactly what he is capable of doing with some cash. Exciting stuff!

As an indy filmmaker myself I can draw nothing but inspiration from this to go on and pursue my own projects as well.

A little out of place, but scarily realistic...

[skrfish · 8/10 · 6 November 2006]

First off, what with the accents and all, this film may have better been set in Glasgow, but anyone not from Scotland would doubtless not know the difference, so I guess it can pass.

Considering the youth and inexperience of his lead actors, alongside his almost nonexistent budget, Hutcheon has done a marvellous job of bringing the darker side of Scotland's cities to light. It's a little rough around the edges, and perhaps occasionally over the top (shootings are not so common), but in the main accurately portrays the violent environment in which too many kids have grown up.

Having grown up on the outskirts of this society, this film held me from start to finish, at the same time both disturbingly and comfortingly familiar.

I have never seen Aberdeen portrayed in film before, but I think Hutcheon has captured it beautifully, at times dark and forbidding, at others beautiful in desolation.

Honestly, I would recommend this to almost everyone as worth watching, it is very much a diamond in the rough.

Excellent loved it, back Lee Huctheon all the way, home grown talent.

[jamie-simmers · 10/10 · 26 July 2007]

I found this film thoroughly entertaining and enjoyed it from start to finish. I loved the fact that the film was shot in and around Aberdeen and enjoyed seeing all the places I know. The actors were brilliant all of them from the young kids to the adults. This film just shows that with the right investment Lee Hutcheon will be the next best thing and how great having him from here in our own town. We need to back this man and help him on his way. The young kids and the gritty story line made the film even more watchable, it's the type of thing you maybe expect in the likes of London or America and the humour through it was great I found myself laughing out loud on many occasions. and I loved the music that was used throughout. I really enjoyed it and would like to add that for one man to direct, act and write the film then we should all applaud that. Great film can't wait to see the next one.

Very Good

[susan-stuart · 8/10 · 26 July 2007]

I enjoyed this film very much, really liked the numerous scenes in Aberdeen and thought the actors were very good. The film was shot and directed really well. Being from Aberdeen it was great to see a film being shot in and around it. I can't wait for the next film by Lee Hutcheon and wish him all the best in the future. The young boys that were in the film were very good and the story was a good story although violent in places I still thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone. Specially people from Aberdeen. It is like whats happening in America and coming to Britian so I found the film in touch with the times.

brilliant movie !! no fast cars or mirrors

[Jjosser · 10/10 · 24 October 2007]

I don't think there are many young movie makers that have as much commitment as this guy. After reading about this aspiring film maker and his struggle to get on the ladder of making movies , In a mans world shows that you don't need a huge budget or a load of stars in your pocket to make great entertaining movies. Not only did he write,film, direct,& act in this movie i am told he edited & packaged the whole lot whilst holding down a job. Id like to see more film makers get on with it rather than wait for the right time or deal . not every one wants to watch a popcorn movie , brilliant work . who wrote the rule to say every film needs to be a blockbuster. I hope he encourages more of this type of films.