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

Lucy (Molly Windsor) is eleven years old living with her abusive father (Robert Carlyle). She is put into foster care and faces a chaotic unloving system. Her roommate is 16 year old Lauren (Lauren Socha). Lauren runs away taking the quiet Lucy with her. They get into trouble with the police and brought back to the home.

It's an impressive directorial debut from Samantha Morton. The tone is very haunting. The young girl is put to the great use by keeping her mostly silent. It permits the audience to inhabit her character. Lauren Socha is also quite effective as the teen delinquent character. The biggest drawback is the long running time. This movie could be even better distilled into a tighter pace. Morton seems to be indulging a little too much in long ambling scenes.

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.

Congratulations to first time director Samantha Morton and Channel 4 for showcasing this magically poignant portrait of a maltreated child suffering the indignities of Britain's under-resourced care system.

Star: Molly Windsor delivers a masterful evocation. The Unloved avoids the inherent pitfalls of such difficult subject matter.

Morton herself went through care, but this is no angry rant against her experiences, but an enlightening reconstruction of events exorcised through a perceptive and beguiling work of artistry.

Strong support from co-stars Robert Carlyle and Susan Lynch as Molly's estranged and troubled parents seeking personal redemption for the hurt caused and subsequent loss of their angelic daughter.

I can only hope this is not the only helmed piece Samantha Morton brings to this world, as she is indeed a talented voice in a world of increasingly entertainment driven indifference to the bigger issues which surround and impact upon us all. This cinematic picture should have been given a much deserved big-screen distribution.

Assured best new British drama since Red Ridding.

Samantha Morton's passion for this story is evident in the purposeful construction of the film. At first you will wonder what in the world is happening, but as the film develops you will start to understand that the lingering cuts are drawing you into Lucy's world. Molly Windsor does an incredible job of portraying the innocent little observer who is thrust into a wildly different world when she is forced to move into a group home. Still sleeping with her teddy bear she has to room with Lauren, a rebellious teen who takes Lucy along with her shoplifting, partying, etc. The film is a bit sad and doesn't really offer any solution and so you are left feeling sorry for Lucy and hoping she will not succumb to the temptations around her and last probably until she ages out of the system. Hopefully what this film can do is bring awareness to problems in the social service system not only in the UK, but everywhere and perhaps kind hearted people will be stirred to help these children.