There is something to be said for this film in the way it handles its characters. We start and end the film with key plot moments which are inherently a bit gross, and for the rest of the film we are in a community of drug-addicts and petty criminals, but yet the film doesn't let these things define the tone of the film or allow it to lose sight of the two characters are people in this moment.
That moment is a hunt for a stolen bicycle and dog belonging to Marjory, who has also lost her false teeth; Tommy goes along to help her and help others understand what she is saying – he is also a bit besotted by her, even though her partner is about to get out of prison and return home. It doesn't sound very romantic or comedic perhaps, but it does both pretty well – but does it on the level of the community and in a way that is honest about the people. It does this very well, and it avoids being cruel or mocking the people – we laugh, and are a bit grossed out perhaps, but it is not at their expense but rather we do it like liking and supporting them as people.
The location shooting and performances add to this sense of realism and grounding; the film produces a feeling of being in a real place – not that we were dropped into it as some sort of 'experience' or that the film is using this community for cheap background. In the end the final product is charming but yet totally downbeat – very Scottish in what it does, and it works very well.
