The Girl With Brains In Her Feet review

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

Jack (Joanna Ward) is a 13-year-old mixed-race girl growing up in '70s small-town England. She spends her time discovering her sexuality, arguing with her alcoholic mum and pursuing her passion for athletics. Sounds rather like a big-screen version of Grange Hill? You're not wrong. Admittedly, this is a quirky yarn, but it lacks the bite that'd make you care for the central character - instead you'll sit there wanting to tug hard at her bunches. This is partly down to Roberta Bangura's theatrical and uncreative BBC-style directing, but also to that nagging question: who is the film really aimed at? It's too patronising for today's adolescent and too clichéd to add humour to memories of the spotty days of youth. Steer clear.

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine.