A frustrated youth pursues quick wealth through deception, only to find redemption through faith and moral reckoning.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Hustle Begins
Jamie navigates his dual identity as a frustrated artist and pop star while living with his mother. He secures a position at Dr. Berman's clinic under the guise of employment, secretly planning to steal psychedelic drugs for quick profit.
Key Events
Jamie's Dual Life — Jamie lives with his mother as a frustrated art student and pop star. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Family Home
Mother's Receptionist Role — His mother works as a receptionist for a psychiatrist. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Dr. Berman's Office
Dr. Berman's Research — Dr. Berman experiments with psychedelic drugs. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Psychiatrist Clinic
Desire for Quick Money — Jamie wants to make money quickly to fund his ambitions. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Home
Undercover Employment — Begins working at the office as a pretence to steal drugs. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Doctor's Office
Frustrated Artistry — Jamie struggles with his identity as an art student. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Art Studio
Musical Frustrations — His career as a pop star remains unfulfilled. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Recording Studio
Domestic Routine — Jamie shares a household with his working mother. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Family Home
Faith and Friction
Jamie's girlfriend undergoes a religious conversion after attending a Billy Graham crusade. She attempts to guide him away from his unethical path, but Jamie initially responds with hostility and resistance to her spiritual awakening.
Key Events
Undercover Employment — Begins working at the office as a pretence to steal drugs. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Doctor's Office
Carol's Religious Conversion — His girlfriend attends a crusade led by Billy Graham and converts. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Evangelical Crusade
Girlfriend's Plea — Carol attempts to show Jamie the error of his ways. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Home
Rejection of Faith — Jamie is initially hostile toward his girlfriend's newfound faith. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Home
Evangelist's Message — Billy Graham's crusade serves as the catalyst for Carol's conversion. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Crusade Grounds
The Downfall
Jamie's criminal scheme unravels as he is caught stealing from Dr. Berman and attempts to double-cross drug dealer Alec Fitch. The consequences of his greed and deception force him into a desperate corner, stripping away his illusions of quick success.
Key Events
Rejection of Faith — Jamie is initially hostile toward his girlfriend's newfound faith. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Home
Theft from Dr. Berman — Jamie is caught stealing from the doctor's drug supply. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Clinic Storage
Betrayal of Alec Fitch — Attempts to double-cross drug dealer Alec Fitch. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Underground Market
Caught and Cornered — Jamie faces the fallout of his theft and betrayal. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Clinic
Meeting Alec Fitch — Jamie plans to sell stolen drugs to dealer Alec Fitch. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Back Alley
Betrayal Execution — Jamie attempts to cheat the dealer for more profit. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Safe House
Redemption Arc
Facing the collapse of his ambitions, Jamie revisits the religious message that once alienated him. He gradually softens, ultimately accepting his girlfriend's faith and choosing to abandon his criminal pursuits for spiritual growth.
Key Events
Caught and Cornered — Jamie faces the fallout of his theft and betrayal. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Clinic
Desperation Peaks — Jamie's quick-money scheme collapses, forcing reflection. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Street
Revisiting the Crusade — Jamie revisits the religious message that once alienated him. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Church
Embracing Faith — Jamie eventually accepts his girlfriend's newfound faith. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Church
New Path Forward — Jamie abandons his criminal pursuits for spiritual growth. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Home
Facing Consequences — Jamie realizes his actions have damaged his relationships. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Clinic
Heart of Faith — Jamie's heart softens toward the religious message. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Sanctuary
Abandoning Crime — Jamie decides to leave his criminal life behind. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Home
Restored Relationship — Jamie and his girlfriend find common ground through faith. Characters: Jamie HopkinsLocation: Home
Story Breakdown
Protagonist Setup — Establishes Jamie's dual identity and domestic circumstances.
Art Student Life — Jamie struggles with unfulfilled creative ambitions.
Pop Star Frustration — His musical career fails to provide financial stability.
Domestic Routine — Jamie lives with his mother who works at a clinic.
Criminal Ambition — Jamie's desire for rapid wealth drives his unethical actions.
Undercover Employment — He secures a job at Dr. Berman's office as a cover.
Drug Theft Plan — Jamie targets the doctor's psychedelic research supply.
Dealer Negotiation — He arranges to sell stolen drugs to Alec Fitch.
Religious Catalyst — External spiritual influence challenges Jamie's worldview.
Crusade Attendance — His girlfriend attends a Billy Graham evangelistic event.
Faith Conversion — She embraces Christianity and seeks to share it with Jamie.
Moral Confrontation — She attempts to guide him away from his criminal path.
Moral Conflict — Jamie's resistance to faith clashes with his growing desperation.
Initial Hostility — Jamie rejects his girlfriend's spiritual transformation.
Theft Exposure — He is caught stealing from Dr. Berman's supply.
Double-Cross Attempt — Jamie tries to betray Alec Fitch for greater profit.
Downfall and Consequences — The collapse of Jamie's schemes forces a crisis point.
Scheme Unraveling — His criminal plans fail and isolate him further.
Relationship Strain — His actions damage his bond with his girlfriend.
Desperation Peak — Jamie faces the harsh reality of his choices.
Spiritual Resolution — Jamie embraces faith and abandons his criminal lifestyle.
Revisiting Message — He returns to the religious environment that once alienated him.
Heart Softening — Jamie gradually accepts the spiritual guidance offered.
New Path Forward — He chooses redemption over greed, restoring his relationships.
Set in London's Swinging Sixties, Cliff Richard plays Jamie Hopkins, an art student whose desperate need for money leads him to dabble in the underworld of drug dealing. Cliff has stated that Two A Penny, his most dramatically challenging movie role ever, is the film he is proudest of. He has stated, "if I did want to send a fiolm as a CV, I would send that one". It is certainly his most demanding and controversial role; cynical, self centered and highly manipulative, Jamie Hopkins lies, steals and double-crosses his mother (Dora Bryan), forces himself on his girlfriend (Ann Holloway) and gets involved in fist fights with criminals. Through the influence of his girlfriend, a born again Christian, is the possibility that he may reform, yet in the mystery of the film's by-line "He promised to love her forever….today" lies the possibility that he may well not.
