It's not wholly convincing and its view of tower-block dwellers may well be patronising, but it is utterly absorbing and has such impact that you seriously have to gather yourself afterwards.

[Andrea] Arnold has a knack for subtle details but also for portraying female characters whose natural warmth and energy have been muted by trauma or social isolation.

An assured piece of phoniness.

Mia’s downward spiral leads her on an inevitable path that becomes increasingly painful for the audience to endure, but that’s why Arnold’s film is so successful.