As well as ensuring that the film avoids the cloying sweetness of Hollywood's seasonal offering, Love the Coopers, the Beliers' idiosyncrasies strike a gently subversive note.

[The Belier Family] has enormous charm and humour, a real sense of warmth within the family, and a knockout finale which, of course, involves Paula's singing.

Emera is indeed a winning presence, and it would take a hard heart not to be moved by her rendition of Michel Sardou's Je Vole ...

Though not above tugging on the heartstrings quite hard when the mood suits, this enjoyable experience earns the right to do so keeping an earthy spirit to the fore when it counts.