John Hannah Movies
With his gaunt handsomeness and infectious Scottish burr, John Hannah made a memorable impression on audiences on both sides of the Atlantic in his role as Simon Callow's lover in Four Weddings and a Funeral. The popularity of his portrayal was a significant feat for the actor, who, prior to the picture, had only appeared in one small film and numerous television shows in the United Kingdom.Born in 1962 in East Kilbride, a small town near Glasgow, Hannah worked as an electrician for four years before getting into acting. After training at a Glasgow drama school, the actor headed to London to find work. After his 1990 debut in a generally unheard of film called Harbour Beat, Hannah found work on television. After his breakthrough role in 1994's Four Weddings, he was able to do more film work, appearing the following year in three films, Madagascar Skin, The Final Cut, and The Innocent Sleep. After work in a few forgettable pictures and the title role on the British TV series McCallum, Hannah got his next significant role in Peter Howitt's 1998 romantic comedy Sliding Doors. The film was a relative success and Hannah netted praise for his work as Gwyneth Paltrow's love interest. The film paved the way for him to appear in his first Hollywood blockbuster, The Mummy (1999), in which he was cast against type as a ne'er do well English fop. Despite rotten reviews, the film scored massively at the box office, helping to ensure further work for the talented, versatile actor. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- 1997
This 1997 remake of the '60s successful, sequel-spawning The Love Bug (the highest grossing film in the U.S. in 1969) includes a cameo by Dean Jones, star of the original Love Bug. Herbie, a 1963 VW Bug with personality, is saved from destruction by former race-car driver Hank Cooper (Bruce Campbell), who sees the car has special talents. Conceited Scotsman Simon Moore III (John Hannah) creates an evil vehicle named Horace the Hate Bug and sends it after Hank and his girlfriend, auto journalist Alex (Alexandra Wentworth). Clarence Williams III is seen as an eccentric garage owner, and Monkee Mickey Dolenz appears as a racing promoter. The remake first aired November 30, 1997 as part of ABC's Wonderful World of Disney series. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Campbell, John Hannah, (more)
- 1995
- NR
This British drama offers a character study of the friendship between two total opposites; one a shy homosexual, and the other a heterosexual petty thief. The story begins as Harry, the introverted gay fellow who carries a huge burgundy colored birthmark in the shape of Madagascar upon his forehead, unsuccessfully tries to find love at a local gay bar. Once home in his seedy apartment, the despondent fellow decides to get in his car and drive to wherever the road will take him. He ends up on a lonely beach where he spies an overturned bucket that is just about to be covered by the rising tide. He picks it up and discovers that it conceals the head of Flint who has been buried upright in the sand. The two end up living together, with the much older Flint being as gruff, as Harry is shy. Flint slowly helps Harry become more outgoing, who unsurprisingly, begins to develop deeper feelings and longings for Flint. He knows however, that if he lets slip his sexuality, that he will lose Flint's friendship. Harry then goes away on a trip; upon his return, the relationship between the men changes surprisingly. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bernard Hill, John Hannah, (more)
- 1995
- R
In this high-energy direct-to-video actioner, a retired bomb expert is called back to duty to find out who has been planting terrorist bombs in Seattle. While he investigates, more bombs explode and it becomes frighteningly clear that the terrorist is targeting bomb-squad members. Matters get more intense when the prime suspect suddenly disappears. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sam Elliott, Charles Martin Smith, (more)
In this suspense drama, Alan Terry (Rupert Graves) is a homeless man who wanders the streets of London. One night, Alan is trying to sleep near a bridge when he witnesses a strange and grisly murder; a man, speaking Italian, is hanged by four other men, one also speaking Italian while the other three have British accents. When Alan's presence is discovered by the killers, they give chase, and Alan is barely able to escape. However, the following day the papers report the death as a suicide; on the advice of his friend George (Graham Crowden), Alan goes to the police to tell what he saw. However, when Alan is introduced to Detective Matheson (Michael Gambon), the man investigating the case, he realizes that Matheson was one of the men who helped hang the victim. Assuming that Matheson would not be a good person with whom to discuss the case, Alan instead goes to Billie Hayman (Annabella Sciorra), an American journalist working in London who is able to bring Alan's side of the story to the people; Alan and Billie soon discover that this murder is far more complicated, and with more disturbing implications than they ever could have imagined. Though fictional, The Innocent Sleep was inspired by the true story of the death of Roberto Calvi, an Italian banker who was murdered in London in 1982. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rupert Graves, Annabella Sciorra, (more)
A torrid extramarital affair sends a government official scrambling to salvage his career in this drama starring Michael Gambon and John Hannah and directed by John Strickland. Peter Moreton (Gambon) is a high-ranking government official with a lot to lose, and when his daughter purposefully reveals her father's indiscretion to a reporter she is dating, the ensuing media frenzy threatens to reveal his unseemly lifestyle to all of Britain and put an end to his privileged lifestyle. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Gambon, Susannah Harker, (more)
This acclaimed British comedy centers on the intermittent romance between a charming (if slightly bumbling) Englishman and a beautiful American woman, who seem to always run into each other at weddings. Indeed, it is at the first of the title's four weddings that Charles (Hugh Grant) and Carrie (Andie McDowell) meet, enjoying a brief but fleeting connection. The spark is rekindled several months later, when they unexpectedly meet at another wedding. Unfortunately, however, Carrie has become engaged to another, a fact that complicates matters for them both. The story may seem simple, but the film is elevated by screenwriter Richard Curtis' ear for witty dialogue and a colorful supporting cast. Director Mike Newell's sympathetic attention to character keeps the proceedings believable, and prevents the film's more serious moments from seeming mawkish. These elements, along with Grant's star-making performance as Charles, helped the film achieve unexpected international success, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, (more)
- 1990
When a policeman from Scotland moves to Australia and joins together with an Aussie partner, they find themselves up to their necks in a land development scheme in which crooks are trying to gain title to some of the prime real estate in Sydney. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Hannah, Steven Vidler, (more)
