The story of two totally contrasting figures who come together in the most hostile of circumstances, only to form an unlikely bond that will help them both find a way out of their respective troubles.
Avoiding reliance on showy style and eschewing recourse to popular genre storytelling, Bishop has instead delivered a well-conceived, neatly executed, funny and touching film that has intelligent things to say about youth and old age.
The story could have been told as a grim social-realist parable but Bishop wisely aims for Ealing-style comedy.
The tone of the film may be a little too cartoonish and whimsical for its own good but this is still a winning, odd-couple heartwarmer.
It's only Davis's unsentimental fleshing out of this whiskery, Steptoe-esque coot that saves the film from total familiarity.
Life is too short for this kind of Brit flick.
General release. Check local listings for show times.