Lad: a Yorkshire Story

The Yorkshire Dales loom large in writer/director Dan Hartley's autobiographical feature debut. The film tells the story of 13-year-old Tom (Bretten Lord), who gets into trouble with the police after his dad dies. Put on community service under the watchful eye of Al (Alan Gibson), Tom joins the bluff, no-nonsense ranger in the Dales National Park, fixing paths, making stiles, and coming to terms with his loss. There's a gentle pace to this big-hearted coming-of-age drama, which is inspired by Hartley's own life. Boasting a powerful sense of place, the film gives as much screen time to the austere Dales landscapes as it does the actors. That slightly short changes the subplots involving Tom's mum (an excellent Nancy Clarkson) and Al's sparky granddaughter (Molly McGlynn), but the film is clearly a labour of love for Hartley, and Lord delivers a charismatic debut performance.