While the setting itself seems rather over-familiar, complete with the working-class East London dialect, the plot itself isn't remotely run-of-the-mill. MacKinnon directs with insight and a solid sense of story and characters, always keeping to Paul's point of view, which makes the film powerfully involving. Eden is a real find as Paul; one of the finest child actors in recent memory, there's not a false moment in his performance. Parker gives yet another wrenching turn, pouring her soul into the role without getting swamped in it. And Wenham provides a nice counterpoint, never resorting to movie-villain cliches. Amazingly, the entire film stays grounded in reality, never descending into a grueling drug odyssey. It's pretty horrible, but never horrific. The situation is impossible, but there are ways to fight it. There's hope, but no easy answers. This is extremely clever filmmaking, using independent film sensibilities to stay within the story and be true to the characters--intimate and focused, funny and touching, entertaining and very, very telling.