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I didn't know what to expect with this but was lucky enough to attend a special screening as part of the films tour across the UK in Newcastle.

The plot is easy to relate to, following quirky young lady Ailidh and the world within her apartment block and imagination. It is her encounters with Jacob and Mrs Nichols which truly bring the film together and evoke life affirming thoughts; the importance of human kindness, tolerance, and also the risk of judging others before you know them fully. Her passion for writing, drawing, taking pictures and telling stories is particularly inspiring and emotional. It is like a coming of age, but with one who is already quite wise, and her neighbours feed off each-others zest and intuition to help their various problems.

The opening credits are delightful and innovative, an apt introduction to Ailidh's imagination, and the score is also excellent and engaging, fitting the character and plot development perfectly, I loved hearing Roisin Murphy when Jacob and Ailidh attend the fancy dress party! Ailidh and Jacob are outsiders, and I found them so relatable especially in this scene as they reminded me so much of me and my friends! The direction is spirited and admirable, with techniques such as keeping actors Claire and Mirren apart until they actually meet to great effect (reminiscent of Mike Leigh with Brenda Blethyn and Marianne Jean-Baptiste in Secrets & Lies).

Overall this is a delightful, ray of sunshine, although there are important bleak undertones dealt with, this does not detract from the films purpose. It is sad, funny, and refreshing. If you are a fan of An Education, or Mike Leigh's work you'll definitely find something to enjoy here. It is just a shame that it didn't receive widespread distribution (shame on top distributors who rejected it!) so more people could see it, as it could definitely be eligible for top film awards. Mirren Burke gives a confident, snappy, illuminating debut. Claire Garvey is subtly engaging and effective. Rollo Weeks continues development and transition from excellent performances in youth (such as in The Lost Prince) and is remarkable as the boy next door. Of course as usual Sylvia Sims is brilliant, giving great depth and humour to a character who many will and should relate to.

As an aside I'd like to mention after the show I met and chatted with director Bryan O'Neill and lead actress Mirren Burke. They are such lovely and genuine people, I was embarrassed at how much I clicked with Mirren and felt like she was asking me all the questions! We talked about film, acting, Mike Leigh, Lesley Manville, writing...I felt so lucky and star struck yet also felt like we'd been friends for ages! Here is a talented director with an eye for real human stories, and a very talented and kind young actress, and I hope they both, upon giving such an impressive debut, go onto great success on their next projects as they deserve it. See this if you can, the future is bright for them, and also congratulations to the more established crew. Booked Out is a treat for those who enjoy films about real people dealing with real issues and situations in a sensitive and funny way.

I don't want to go into too much detail or else it will be thoroughly spoiled. I anticipated this adaptation for months, being a great Dickens fan, especially after the BBC's magnificent adaptation of Bleak House.

Similar problems always arise in these adaptations, both suffered from an absence of some key characters (although the latter had more episodes, and didn't suffer as a result) so here as a result the character development is not as it should have been.

I was impressed however by how much of the plot they fit into just 3 episodes over Christmas, and the pace was terrific. There were flaws in the script, where Bleak House took plenty of quotes from the novel, this didn't and therefore doesn't feel as fleshy or ultimately, Dickensian. Why change the best form?

I commend the cinematographers. One really felt the setting as it was written. Now onto the major successes and faults; casting.

Douglas Booth as the protagonist tried but came off as a bit too wooden. He also looked far too attractive (which of course is not an insult) but it didn't really work.

It is nice to see Claire Rushbrook again. Not seen her since Secrets & Lies. She was very convincing as Mrs Joe. Shaun Dooley was excellent as Joe Gargery, as were Harry Lloyd as Herbert Pocket, Jack Roth as Orlick, David Suchet as Jaggers and Ray Winstone definitely brought great life and humanity to the dreaded Magwitch.

My hat though must go off to Gillian Anderson, although many have thought her wrong for the part, let me explain why she was so good and right for the role.

Although Miss Havisham has been typically played as elderly, and her age is never specified really in the book, she was almost married as a teenager, and the time passing would place her in her forties, to early fifties. This makes Anderson, if anything, TOO YOUNG for the role, and the original "best" Martita Hunt, was only some years older. Of course she has been aged by her style of existence. Anderson did look more worn and ethereal as the series progressed. People also seemed to have a problem with her voice.

I see the childish voice as her being trapped in her 18 year old self, which presumably is the age she was jilted, so like the rest of the house, time stopped at that point, which is why she had a similar childish outburst when her relatives visited. I think Anderson's performance therefore is rather genius. One can really feel the angst, anger, regret she feels. I would have preferred a more dramatic apology to Pip in the end, but I suppose it was more subtle. Anderson again impresses in a Dickensian role, showing something completely different to her outstanding portrayal of Lady Dedlock.

It is her impressive work which for me gives this a 7 over 6. Oh and the intro sequence was quite beautiful. Slightly disappointing but overall an engaging adaptation, with a brave effort by Anderson which should really be recognised by BAFTA.

Dooley, Roth, Winstone and Lloyd should all create some buzz too.