The Pebble and the Boy (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
The Pebble and the Boy is a 2021 drama directed by Chris Green, starring Patrick McNamee as John, Sacha Parkinson and Stuart Wolfenden. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $137,230 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 54/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 41m (101 min)
- Director
- Chris Green
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Now Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Pebble and the Boy About?
The premise of The Pebble and the Boy without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
John Parker, a 19 year old from Manchester, embarks on a journey to Brighton, the spiritual home of the Mods, on an old Lambretta scooter left to him by his father.
The Pebble and the Boy Themes & Keywords
· 19 tags- funeral
- urn
- road movie
- coming of age
- initiation rite
- motorcycle helmet
- reading a book
- scooter
- mother son relationship
- drunk
- dancing
- motorcycle
+7 more Show fewer
- drinking beer
- drinking
- reference to a vespa
- man wears underwear
- bare chested male
- newspaper article
- british flag
The Pebble and the Boy Cast & Characters
Patrick McNamee leads the cast as John, with Sacha Parkinson as Nicki and Stuart Wolfenden as Geoff. Directed by Chris Green; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Director Chris Green
- Patrick McNamee as John
- Sacha Parkinson as Nicki
- Stuart Wolfenden as Geoff
- Emma Stansfield as Dione
Also Starring in The Pebble and the Boy
· 16 more- Ricci Harnett Ronnie
- Patsy Kensit Sonia
- Max Boast Logan
- Jesse Birdsall Ali
- Brian Croucher Danny
- Christine Tremarco Dawn
- James Mackie Will
- Mark Sheals Steve
- Julian Clapton Jules
- Gary 'Mani' Mounfield Gary
- Charlotte Tyree Mel
- Jamie Lomas Dean
- Rick S. Carr Zack
- Adele Fearn Jackie
- Daniel Parkinson Young Ali
- Adam Nicholls Brad
More from Chris Green
More films directed by Chris Green: Beast Within and Strangeways Here We Come.
The Pebble and the Boy Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 54/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in story & flow (42).
The Pebble and the Boy Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, The Pebble and the Boy elicits a mixed response, with its visual style and occasional atmospheric touches standing out, while its narrative coherence and character development falter for many viewers. Critics highlight an appealing retro aesthetic and effective cinematography, yet criticize a meandering plot and thinly written figures. Audience reactions echo this divide, noting nostalgic enjoyment but limited lasting impact. Consequently, the film settles into an average standing with modest replay value.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 58
In terms of art and craft, the film presents a visually appealing palette, with eye‑catching cinematography and carefully composed period details that capture the Mod aesthetic. Directionally, the pacing feels uneven, and editing does little to reinforce narrative flow, leading to occasional disjointed sequences. While the production design contributes authenticity, the overall craftsmanship remains restrained, yielding a modest artistic impression.
- Character & Emotion 45
When evaluating character and emotion, performances vary considerably; a few actors deliver nuanced portrayals that hint at underlying tensions, yet many figures appear flat and overly stereotyped. The script offers limited backstory, preventing deeper audience empathy, and chemistry between leads feels sporadic. Consequently, character depth remains shallow, diminishing the film’s emotional resonance despite intermittent moments of credibility.
- Story & Flow 42
Regarding story and flow, the narrative follows a road‑trip framework that aims for nostalgic simplicity but suffers from sluggish, episodic pacing. Plot points often feel underdeveloped, and the central romance lacks sufficient tension to sustain engagement. While occasional scenes provide warmth, the overall structure fails to build momentum, resulting in a largely unconvincing progression.
- Sensory Experience 70
In the sensory domain, the film’s soundtrack heavily leans on period‑specific Mod tracks, effectively reinforcing its temporal setting. Sound design is clear, and the visual style showcases vivid color grading that complements the era’s aesthetic. These auditory and visual choices contribute to an immersive atmosphere, though they occasionally overshadow narrative substance.
- Rewatch Factor 55
The rewatch factor remains moderate; audiences attuned to Mod nostalgia report enjoyment on repeat viewings, drawn by the music and setting. However, the thin plot and uneven character arcs limit broader appeal, making subsequent screenings feel more like a nostalgic showcase than a compelling narrative experience.
The Pebble and the Boy Plot Summary
What happens in The Pebble and the Boy from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
John Patrick McNamee is a teenager from Manchester who learns that his father, a man he barely knew, has died in a scooter accident. To honor him, he decides to carry his father’s ashes to Brighton, riding his father’s cherished Lambretta on a road trip that kicks off from Manchester.
On the road, he stays with a friend of his dad’s and meets his daughter Nicki Sacha Parkinson, a lively contrast to his quiet demeanor. She chooses to join him on the journey, eager to reach a Paul Weller concert in Brighton.
Full summary
The whole story of The Pebble and the Boy, scene by scene
The Pebble and the Boy Box Office
The Pebble and the Boy grossed $137,230 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$137.2K
- International
- $137.2K
The Pebble and the Boy Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Pebble and the Boy.
How Well Do You Know The Pebble and the Boy?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which city does John begin his road trip from?
The Pebble and the Boy Also Known As
2 alternative titles: “Destino a Brighton” and “Destí a Brighton”.
- Also known as
-
- Destino a Brighton
- Destí a Brighton
Seen The Pebble and the Boy?
Movies Like The Pebble and the Boy
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Boy and Bicycle, Son of Rambow and Three Wheels One Summer.
The Pebble and the Boy FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of The Pebble and the Boy, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Pebble and the Boy?
The Pebble and the Boy runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).
When was The Pebble and the Boy released?
The Pebble and the Boy was released on August 27, 2021.
Who directed The Pebble and the Boy?
The Pebble and the Boy was directed by Chris Green.
More films by Chris Green Who is in the cast of The Pebble and the Boy?
The Pebble and the Boy stars Patrick McNamee as John, Sacha Parkinson as Nicki and Stuart Wolfenden as Geoff, among 20 credited actors.
How much did The Pebble and the Boy make at the box office?
The Pebble and the Boy grossed $137,230 worldwide.
Does The Pebble and the Boy have a post-credit scene?
No. The Pebble and the Boy has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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