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The acting is impressive in this real-life tale of an Irish charity worker but its uncritical portrayal leaves you wondering whether it tells the whole story

This biopic unfolds the story of the philanthropist Christina Noble, who started a foundation in her own name to help impoverished and at risk children in Vietnam and Mongolia. Three actors (Gloria Cramer Curtis for the child, Sarah Greene for the teen and Deirdre O’Kane for the matriarch) play Noble as she endures a traumatic 1940s urban Irish childhood (early dying mum, alcoholic dad, abuse, homelessness) before a dream sends her to south-east Asia to help kids.

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The problem with inspirational biopics is keeping the person at the center of the story relatable and realistic rather than deifying them. Christina Noble's story is eminently — almost heartbreakingly — grounded, and the aptly titled Noble is that much more powerful for it. Growing up poor in 1950s Dublin, Christina (Gloria Cramer Curtis) is sent to an orphanage at age ten following the death of her consumptive mother (Derbhle Crotty) and abandonment by her worthless drunk of a father (Game of Thrones' Liam Cunningham). And then things get (more) unpleasant: Cruel nuns, sexual assault, and an abusive husband follow, driving Christina, improbably, to Vietnam, where she would eventually establish a foundation to help orphaned children. Noble...