The Unloved

Saw this on Channel 4 tonight. 2 key words: Bleak & beautiful.

The acting during the bust-up at the Christmas Party was very realistic. The last continuous shot of the young girl on the bus home was very poignant. That image really stays with you.

If Samantha is reading this: Congratulations and well done on this great film. The subject matter was presented 'just right'. Coleen's music felt really natural (and, never forced). If you never direct again, that's fine, you can be very proud of this. I understand completely that this was something felt you had to do - rather than it being 'another gig' (like most directors).

Can you please provide details of all the music used in the film. The end credits text (font) was so small, I could barely read it! The subtitles didn't note every song, either. In particular, I'd like to know the name of track used at the Christams party - the one with the dance-off.

Thank you. All the best for the future :) HP

Watched this last night knowing it would stir up all the emotions you can imagine when dealing with the abuse of children and to be honest I was hoping it would be rubbish so I would have the excuse of stopping watching. Well it was powerful stuff, understated drama without being overly dramatic. You wanted to reach out and hug the girl, buy her clean clothes, give her so called carers an earful not for not caring but for not paying attention. If the system is in any part like this, and I'm sure it is, then those in the business should get a wake up call from watching this in learning what not to do. Samantha Morton can be proud of this work as a directorial debut and I am sure it was cathartic based on her childhood as she was in care until 16. Molly Windsor is excellent in the role as the child. Robert Carlyle's is quality as usual

I know, because this was my childhood. I have never reviewed a movie on IMDb before, but this one touched me so deeply that I had to. Every actor in this is so phenomenally good that I never once felt like I was watching an actor. The editing, the direction, the soundtrack – all superb. Everything about this film is stunningly beautiful in a melancholy kind of way. It is the artful depiction of what I would like to believe of myself: that although my childhood circumstances were dire, my reflection of them and the character I've derived from them are beautiful. Thank you, sincerely, to everyone who brought this story to life.

Almost the British Florida Project. Good music choices. I'm a fan of the extended closeup without dialogue, and Molly Windsor was able to convey so much with her eyes in many of those. Recommend.

This was so well-directed and acted that it seemed at times like a documentary. Avoiding any clichés and easy answers it was moving and compelling. Clearly Samantha Morton is going to be as great a director as she is an actress. The expressionistic filming style and the long static shots reminded me a bit of Lynne Ramsay's work, which is a compliment in itself! I wish it had been shown in cinemas, as it would have won many awards in my opinion. All the actors were great, as i said above so naturalistic that it seemed at times like watching a documentary. Great performances in particular from the little girl Lucy, and the troubled Lauren that she met whilst in the care home. Highly recommended.