Samantha Morton’s directorial debut deals with a small girl who is taken into care.

Morton herself was brought up in foster care and you have to think that the film must have incorporated some of her actual insights or experience.

The main focus of the film is the life of Lucy (Molly Windsor) a sweet natured 11-year old girl. After being taken away from her violent father (Robert Carlyle) Lucy ends up at a noisy children’s home. The film is shot through Lucy’s eyes as we see the environment she finds herself. Lucy shares a room with an older girl Lauren (Lauren Socha) and the pair strike up a friendship. Lauren is being abused by a care worker which Lucy has to witness.

Although fictional Morton’s film really highlights some of the inadequacies and issues that have been evident in social care provision for children in the UK. There have over the years being cases brought to the attention of the public which have been tragic and harrowing examples of life in a care home for many children.

Aside from a few people working at the home, the youngish looking careers seem a motley bunch just able to look after themselves let alone young hormonally challenged teenagers. One of the senior older care assistants seems more interested in ensuring her travel mileage subsistence than caring for needy kids.

The film offers up glimpses of Lucy’ separated parents who although it is evident that they do love her, even Lucy’s sometimes violent father, are incapable of taking the responsibility.

Morton’s movie is a sad, uncomfortable and hard movie to watch but is genuinely moving and emotional.