G:MT

G:MT — Greenwich Mean Time
Promotional poster
Directed by	John Strickland
Produced by	Taylor Hackford
Written by	Simon Mirren
Starring	Steve John Shepherd Ben Waters Alec Newman Chiwetel Ejiofor
Music by	Guy Sigsworth
Cinematography	Alan Almond
Editing by	Patrick Moore
Distributed by	Icon Film Distribution (UK)
Release date(s)	1 October 1999 (UK premiere)
Running time	117 minutes
Language	English

G:MT – Greenwich Mean Time is a 1999 British drama film.

Starring Steve John Shepherd and Chiwetel Ejiofor, the film features music by Acid Jazz and Jungle artists including Talvin Singh, Hinda Hicks and Imogen Heap. It was also one of the last projects of the late jazz trumpeter Lester Bowie.

Synopsis

Set against a backdrop of 20th century fin-de-siecle London, it focuses on a multi-racial group of South London youths who form a band called Greenwich Mean Time. Four years after college graduation, they all work out what direction their lives are headed, including girlfriend problems, an ill-fated venture into drug dealing, and sleazy record producers. As the film progresses, the narrative inches its protagonists toward a sudden bloody finale.

Reception

The film was not well received by critics,^[1] with writer Mirren suggesting some of the response was directed at the fact he is Helen Mirren's nephew (and the producer was Helen Mirren's partner), and so he was being given a 'helping hand' as a result.^[2] Parallels with the 1996 film Trainspotting were also noted, in an unfavourable context.

A limited UK release meant that the film did better business elsewhere, and it was only released on DVD in the United States, the Netherlands and Germany. Several of the film's actors have gone on to become well-known, and the soundtrack to the film was well-received.

References

1. ^ Time Out review
2. ^ Independent article

External links

• G:MT — Greenwich Mean Time at the Internet Movie Database