Way of Life, A

Aroview: Emotionally brutal yet skillful 'kitchen sink' drama from first-time dir. Asante, about a single teenage mum giving and taking the hard knocks in a run-down Welsh neighbourhood.

While solidly in the British cinema tradition of social-realism, this differs from the Ken Loach model by pulling back from 'working-class heroism', instead portraying a troubling character as her own worst enemy, made gripping by Stephanie James in a brilliant debut performance. The melancholy strains of David Gray provides the suitable soundtrack.

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