Among Giants.
Among Giants is a 1998 film.
Cast[]
Singing cast[]
- James Thornton - Steve
- Lennie James - Shovel
- Andy Serkis - Bob
- Rob Jarvis - Weasel
Non-singing cast[]
- Pete Postlethwaite - Ray
- Rachel Griffiths - Gerry
- Alan Williams - Frank
Plot[]
Ray is a middle-aged Sheffield father of two, down on his luck. Separated from his wife, his life revolves around his close friendship with his much younger flatmate Steve and a passion for climbing.
One summer, the pair and their loose gang of workers gain illicit, cash-in-hand employment painting the electricity pylons of the Yorkshire Moors. Their deadline is tight and their terms of employment precarious, but both are grateful for money and the opportunity to climb daily.
The pattern of life is interrupted by the arrival of footloose Australian backpacker Gerry. Attractive, and a talented climber, she and Ray fall in love and become a couple despite Steve's apparent interest.
Ray harbours some reluctance at Gerry's wild ways, but manages to overcome these to propose marriage. Gerry too is doubtful that her wandering days are over, and wonders if she can live the staid existence on offer, despite her love for Ray. Things come to a head when she and Steve, both clearly affected by the backpacking bug, are caught drinking vodka atop a tall pylon.
Abseiling recklessly to face an angry Ray, she and Steve are fired on the spot.
In a confrontation, Gerry tells Ray that she cannot commit to the relationship, nor be tied down. Meanwhile, Ray's friendship with an increasingly jealous Steve is also in trouble, and the younger man moves out of the flat, planning his own travels to India. He and Gerry have a brief sexual encounter, but back out when they recognise the wrongs of their actions.
Gerry waits on Ray's doorstep, hoping for some form of reconciliation, but is rejected. Upset, and undertaking a solo rock climb, she falls and is hospitalised with serious injuries. As Ray is being told this by an emotional Steve, the pylons are electrified as Ray's gang are still at work, and the crew are lucky to escape without electrocution.
This heralds the end of the summer's work, and their elusive paymaster Derek, the electricity company official, arrives on the scene. He is apologetic at the mistake, but cannot say when the workers will receive their pay.
The film ends on an uncertain note, with Steve departing for India, a recovered Gerry deciding to return to Australia, and Ray left standing on the Moors contemplating his scant options.
Musical numbers[]
- "The Air That I Breathe" - Steve, Shovel, Bob and Weasel
- "Stand By Me" - Steve, Shovel, Bob and Weasel
- "Never Seen That Look Before" - Steve, Shovel, Bob and Weasel