Francie and Joe live the usual playful, fantasy filled childhoods of normal boys. However, with a violent, alcoholic father and a manic depressive, suicidal mother the pressure on Francie to grow up are immense. When Francie’s world turns to madness, he tries to counter it with further insanity, with dire consequences
During the run of a particularly awful interpretation of Richard III, the star, Anthony O’Malley (Caine), begins to frequent a rough pub to develop his character. He meets Barreller (Gambon) who he discovers owes someone he’s never met a considerable sum of money. Seeing an opportunity to make some fast money, O’Malley convinces hapless extra, Tom (Moran), to meet Barreller as the debt collector