This is the directorial debut by Shane Meadows, which he also wrote. Amongst a cast of unknowns there is Bob Hoskins, whose character tries to give the unemployed/no-prospects youth in his community some guidance. It's all of the hard-knocks/tough-love school.

Bob Hoskins has also taken a shining to the check-out girl at the corner store, and goes there every day, buying this and that but he doesn't have the courage to ask her out.

In one brilliant moment, she leaves a hand print on the glass counter top and Bob Hoskins, after she's turned away, gently places his hand over her hand print.

This moment, very brief, and with no word spoken, says it all about the general inability to touch and be touched that seems the problem in this community.



cheers,

Kim