Stephen Poliakoff’s first cinema release in a decade proves to be a bit of a lacklustre affair. The ingredients are there for a great film but things don’t quite fit together.

Aspiring actress Anne (Romola Garai), adopted by Conservative MP Alexander Keyes (Bill Nighy), leads a privileged carefree life. The opening scene sees her frolicking with her two younger siblings (Juno Temple, Eddie Redmayne) and close friend Hector (David Tennant). However, all is not what it seems, as the mask to this perfect family starts to slip.

Anne uncovers an LP containing secret government recordings. Not settled with her father’s explanation, Anne starts to question everything and everyone around her with devastating results.

On paper this sounds like a decent set-up to what should be a tense murder mystery. Instead we’re left with a half-baked and sometimes quite erratic plotline which plods along for over 2 hours. When the tense moments arrive and the story begins to unfold properly it is enthralling viewing. But then it switches back to its previous bumbling pace and you’re back to square one.

It’s not all doom and gloom. Romola Garai is the shining star of this film and gives a convincing emotional performance. Unfortunately her equally talented co stars are suffocated by the dizzying plot.

The sumptuous surroundings of this countryside affair can’t hide the plot flaws or the puzzling ending. Hidden amongst these pitfalls is a good film which will be enjoyed by some but others might get too bored waiting to find this out.