Ken Loach at his best. First-time actor Martin Compston is outstanding in the role of Liam, a teenager growing up with a mother in jail, a drug-dealing stepfather and no future to speak of. But Liam is a bright kid who dreams of a normal family life. He’s determined to make enough money to rent a home for his mother for when she gets out of jail. It’s heartbreaking stuff that combines a political message with real humanity and a rich strand of black comedy. Highly recommended.