Scrapper (12)
Directed by Charlotte Regan

 
THE film opens with the statement “it takes a village to raise a child” to be crossed out and replaced by “I can raise myself. Thanks” which sets the bold tone of this compelling story of a 12-year-old girl who decides to fend for herself and live life on her terms following the death of her mother. 
 
The outspoken and resourceful Georgie (Lola Campbell), who is keeping track of the five stages of grief, lives alone in her London flat keeping it spotlessly clean like her mum used to. She steals bikes with her best friend Ali (Alin Uzun) which she sells to pay the rent and has convinced social services that her uncle, Winston Churchill, has moved in with her although no-one comes round to check on her. When her estranged father Jason (Harris Dickinson), who she has never met, suddenly appears on her doorstep, she is forced to face reality for the first time although she and Ali do their best to get shot of him. 
 
Interspersed with mockumentary elements writer-director Charlotte Regan’s debut feature is full of heart and captures the childlike innocence and magic of kids. It also offers a different perspective on working-class Britain as it shows the joyful and funny moments of life and the sense of community, and not just the misery.  
 
It is brought home by an impressive and captivating performance by Campbell in her first ever acting role as the whip smart and funny youngster with cutting comebacks, who holds her own opposite a phenomenal Dickinson (Triangle of Sadness, See How They Run). Their slow developing father-daughter relationship is a joy to watch. 
 
Georgie, who is 12 going on 50, transforms in this coming of age tale in reverse from a self sufficient mature tween back into a vulnerable child as she allows her dad to take charge. Although at the beginning she distrusts him and keeps calling him out for being messy and not clearing up after himself. Meanwhile she is secretly missing her mum and taking solace by watching a video of her on her mobile phone.  
 
Delightful yet moving, this is a very promising directorial debut by music video maker turned filmmaker Regan. 

Out in cinemas August 25.