L'envolée

14-year-old Leigh (Frankie Box) lives with her neglectful father on the outskirts of Brighton. She's a talented gymnast, training hard for her first competition despite her lack of confidence, some mean fellow gymnasts, and little money to pay for her fees. When an older half-brother appears at her house one night, Leigh's lonely existence is altered. Mistrust gradually transforms into exciting new feelings as Leigh receives the attention she craves. But she is also exposed to the thrill and danger of moped crime. Debut director Eva Riley delivers an assured and spirited coming-of-age story that explores with heartfelt sensitivity a sibling relationship.

There's a few things going on in this almost-real-life film. There's the growing up of Leigh with all the problems that brings. A poor parent, bullying, body image, lack of self esteem and many other things that affect young girls. You can tell she's feisty and lives in hope and yet is one bad decision away from a seriously damaged life.

The familial landscape is poor for her. Few friends, poor family relations, until a previously unknown brother turns up and she mistakes the affection and love of a sibling for something a little more romantic. Such is her need for positive regard she's keen to join her new found brother and his slightly suspect friends, especially Rob (William Ash) who seems to think of himself as a small time gangster. Interestingly her new brother also seems to be lacking love and attention. Perhaps this is Riley's nod to poor parenting?

There's also a social recognition of the kinds of behaviours and aspirations of modern young people. Crime is seen as just another way to earn money and an acceptance of growing severity of crime seem to come so easily.

They say Frankie Box has only done a handful of things and is a brilliant newcomer. While she certainly puts in a great performance, she is just being herself a lot of the time. Spend any time with kids from some inner cities and you will see this hardened attitude encasing a need for attention and love, with outward signs of rebellion or hatred. This is common in the youth of today and she doesn't need to act the part entirely. Leigh mirrors very common youth attitudes.

A great film if you like gritty show-it-as-it-is kind of films with a very open end. It was definitely worthy of a rating of 7 from me.

The basic concept is a reasonably good idea but the script, acting, and direction are poor.

It is also yet another middle-class BBC portrayal of the working class - throw in a load of 'F' words and some cannabis and that will cover the class and age divide - very patronising.

How the BBC backed this film is beyond my comprehension - it must have been 'who you know' and not 'what you know'. The whole film had the look of a student's college film.

Social issues British drama. Not cinematic. Too many close ups. The story is cute. Brother - sister dynamics but l wouldnt waste my evening to watch it again.

And Frankie Box is a find. It is a simple story about how easy it is in our modern world to literally become lost in your own life. But the story telling is compelling and the acting so authentic the viewer is compelled to watch right to the bitter-sweet end.

The main two actors are so good in their roles and it honestly feels more like a documentary at points than a fictional story.

The film may seem initially like it is about gymnastics, but it is about something much more important: family.