Friends & Crocodiles (2005)
A Stephen Poliakoff BBC drama charting a remarkable, decades-long bond between a visionary dreamer and the ambitious woman he inspires.
Friends & Crocodiles - Movie Information
- Original Title: Friends & Crocodiles
- Release Year: 2005
- Directed by: Stephen Poliakoff
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 49m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Production Companies: BBC, FremantleMedia North America, Talkback, Talkback Thames
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
- Alternative Titles: Friends and Crocodiles (UK)
Friends & Crocodiles - Plot
Paul Reynolds is a Gatsby-like figure: owner of a magnificent house, the host of great parties, and a collector of interesting people. He persuades Lizzie Thomas, a secretary at a local estate agent's, to come and work for him as his assistant, to bring some order to his chaos. He inspires her with his enthusiasm and imagination, and frustrates her with his apparent carelessness and destructiveness, which culminates in her calling the police as one of his parties is attacked by local troublemakers, seemingly with his tacit approval. But their paths are destined to cross again and again as Lizzie, with the help of some of the people that she met at Paul's house, rises through the changing landscape of corporate Britain. This is the tale of a meaningful and powerful relationship that isn't a love story; it's about those rare people who profoundly influence and shape our lives.
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Friends & Crocodiles - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Stephen Poliakoff
Main Cast
- Damian Lewis
- Jodhi May
- Robert Lindsay
- Patrick Malahide
- Eddie Marsan
- Allan Corduner
- Chris Larkin
- John Warnaby
- Paul Hickey
- Tim Plester
Writers
- Stephen Poliakoff
Producers
- Nicolas Brown
Friends & Crocodiles - FAQs
What is Friends & Crocodiles about?
Friends & Crocodiles follows Paul Reynolds, a charismatic, Gatsby-like entrepreneur, and Lizzie Thomas, his pragmatic assistant. Their lives intertwine across decades as Lizzie rises through corporate Britain, shaped by Paul's visionary but chaotic influence. The film is a portrait of a profound, non-romantic relationship between two very different people.
Who are the main actors in Friends & Crocodiles?
The film stars Damian Lewis as the mercurial Paul Reynolds and Jodhi May as the determined Lizzie Thomas. The supporting cast includes Robert Lindsay, Patrick Malahide, Eddie Marsan, Allan Corduner, Chris Larkin, John Warnaby, Paul Hickey, and Tim Plester.
Who directed Friends & Crocodiles?
Friends & Crocodiles was written and directed by Stephen Poliakoff, the acclaimed British filmmaker known for his richly atmospheric, character-driven dramas. Poliakoff also wrote the screenplay, making this a deeply personal and thematically cohesive work rooted in his distinctive storytelling style.
Is Friends & Crocodiles based on a true story?
Friends & Crocodiles is not based on a specific true story. It is an original screenplay by Stephen Poliakoff. However, the film draws on broader observations of British entrepreneurial culture and the social and economic shifts in the UK from the 1980s through the early 2000s.
How long is Friends & Crocodiles?
Friends & Crocodiles has a runtime of 109 minutes, approximately 1 hour and 49 minutes. Originally broadcast as a BBC television film, it unfolds at a measured, novelistic pace that allows its central relationship and the social landscape of changing Britain to develop with depth and nuance.
What genre is Friends & Crocodiles?
Friends & Crocodiles is a drama. It blends elements of character study, social commentary, and period storytelling, tracing two decades of British corporate and cultural life through the lens of an unlikely but enduring personal relationship between a visionary entrepreneur and his resourceful assistant.
Where can I watch Friends & Crocodiles online?
Friends & Crocodiles is available to stream online. You can check current streaming availability, rental, and purchase options across platforms in your region by visiting JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date viewing options for the film.
What are similar films to Friends & Crocodiles?
If you enjoyed Friends & Crocodiles, you may also appreciate Joy (2015), Billy Elliot (2000), Mr. Holland's Opus (1995), and In the Company of Men (1997). These films share themes of ambition, mentorship, and the complex dynamics between individuals navigating professional and personal transformation.
More About Friends & Crocodiles
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