Thoughtful, tender-hearted drama pivots around the actor-turned-director's central performance, but that turn is never allowed to overshadow terrific work by [Jodi] Whittaker and [Anthony] Welsh

The film is a little self-serious, and the story's recovery arc wraps up too tidily, but as a character study - and showcase for Considine and Whittaker's considerable gifts as actors - it's surprisingly interesting and angular.

A victory on points, if not quite a knockout blow.

Considine in all round great filmmaker, as actor, writer and director, so let's hope we don't have to wait quite so long for his next movie.