The Unloved gives a child's eye view of the U.K.'s government-run care system for orphans and children in danger. The child is Lucy, a 11-years-old living with her father who often abuses her.
It's commanding, committed and sometimes too chilly to truly engage, but it's also heartfelt, powerful stuff - especially in Lauren Socha's passionate, painful performance as Lucy's lost-cause roommate.
As an overall representation of horrors, neglect, and personal solace, it's frustratingly static, often preferring the cool waters of esoteric cinema to something more charged and insightful.
Realised with impeccable craftsmanship, Samantha Morton's directorial debut never puts a foot wrong dramatically, although its unflinching stare at a young life stymied by neglect offers little in the way of comfort.
The camera is held at kiddie height, the close-ups are all Lucy's, and the adult world is viewed with deep suspicion as a cold and unforgiving place. It's a tough watch, and justifiably uncompromising.
