3 Feb '10

“Like seeing True Blood redone for adolescents, where instead of deep forbidden passion the issues are ‘putting out’ and not looking like a tramp in front of your schoolmates.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

“The refugee story, of people being separated from their homeland against their will, is always a very moving one. And it’s told beautifully here – sensitively, but not hand-wringingly worthy.”
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

“A film that managed to combine the practical realities of life as a refugee… with a gentle humour.”
Tom Sutcliffe, The Independent

“New viewers will simply marvel at the complexity of its intellectual themes, its willingness to dive deep into its characters’ emotions, its seriousness and the sincerity of the performances.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

“The series is synthetic navel fluff, but she’s a lot more likable in this than she is sitting in a jury box.”
Tom Sutcliffe, The Independent

“Most heartbreaking was the rejection felt by a saintly granddad, who talked and talked to fill the conversational vacuum left by his only grandchild… I hope he didn’t weep with frustration when he heard the jaunty, Curb Your Enthusiasm-style music inexplicably chosen to accompany their sad yet inspiring story.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

“It’s pretty easy to make [Tom Cholmondeley] look like the devil incarnate and you’d have hoped a film as skilful as this one might have avoided that temptation.”
Matt Baylis, Daily Express