“This is the top”: the 1997 movie Bob Hoskins called the “most important” work of his career

Bob Hoskins said Shane Meadows’ 1997 film *TwentyFourSeven* was the most important work of his career. His choice stands out because he was already known for celebrated roles in films such as *The Long Good Friday* and *Who Framed Roger Rabbit?*, while this was a low-budget British drama led by a then little-known director.

Hoskins played Alan Darcy, a boxing trainer trying to steer young people in his community towards better prospects. In a 1998 interview, he praised the film as an unusually indigenous story about England and linked his decision to take part to the need for working-class stories in British arts. The film also featured then-unknown performers, including James Corden, in his film debut.