Search: Starring Tom Courtenay

To call the film haunting is an understatement.

The film blushes with good intentions and yet cannot fulfil its ultimate promise of discovering strength in originality.

The fashions may have come and gone since John Schlesinger commited Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall's story of a young man torn between his family and the future to film but Billy Liar is still suprisingly light on his feet 50 years down the line.

Every image drives the story on, or highlights the characters’ tragedy.

A clear passion project that could nonetheless do with some judicious editing to tighten its focus.

Even the surprises are too well signposted to surprise

This gang may look like lovable rogues but they're as hard as a boot in the bollocks when things get sticky

Characterisation and incident appear thin.

Robert Carlyle's directorial debut adapts Douglas Lindsay's novel detailing the life and crimes of Barney Thomson with real panache and wit.

Christopher Ecclestone has rarely been better .

Overall, the film retains its power and impact.

Essentially, the film is weak on detail and strong on personality, although, even that, promises more than it delivers.

Dustin Hoffman's condescending direction turns old people into horrible giggling puppets.

Lance Hammer’s drama confronts its subject unsentimentally head on with no holds barred.

The dismal decline in the quality of British films continues apace.