William Hurt is one of my favourite actors. Steady, brooding, sensitive. Unfortunately, the mix of loneliness, poignancy and longing for love is obscured by oft ill-judged caricatured characters and situations.

I've read through the other reviews as well as seen the movie twice, now. There is no doubt that men such as Graham Holt do exist, sitting in the wings of society. Far more commonly, their (early, in his case) midlife crises emerge as they find life is slipping by and one that will have true meaning - and legacy. "I want you to look after me when I'm old", he blubs to the boy, James as they fight and argue.

Whilst the media has us all believe that only inner city kids with hoodies and a drug dependence are the only ones who have grave emotional issues. So far, we're OK. The intention is good and the intense interactions work well as well as the temper tantrums performed by both man and boy.

I noticed that many reviewers who wrote glowing comments may be a little overwhelmed by our English "quaintness". Or supposed quaintness. I really don't want to sound patronising. We certainly hold onto unrepresentative views of the U.S.

Thus, this film's sedate pace may have an added attraction for them. That, though isn't my issue - it's the likes of Jane Horrock's vulgar and totally unsuitable character, social worker Debbie and the overplaying of Keith Allen's part as the boy's father. I've had issue with social services myself and I can only think that the writer David Cook and director Chris Menges felt that the film needed 'spicing up'. A sardonic character often works and occasionally makes a film, but only if it works.

I really don't wish to insult his film further - but that old chestnut that the critics usually end up with springs to mind - would make a great TV movie. A pretty good, one though.

A brace of Hurts, William and (in a minor role) John, feature in this story of a middle aged man who adopts a troubled child, and does some belated growing-up in the process. Sensitively done, but there's something slightly obvious about it, the ideas are quite subtle but the realisations lack depth. Overall, a middling "Play for Today".