Hayden Kane There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Frances Chung Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Sarita Rafferty There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

SnoopyStyle Lucy (Molly Windsor) is eleven years old living with her abusive father (Robert Carlyle). She is put into foster care and faces a chaotic unloving system. Her roommate is 16 year old Lauren (Lauren Socha). Lauren runs away taking the quiet Lucy with her. They get into trouble with the police and brought back to the home.It's an impressive directorial debut from Samantha Morton. The tone is very haunting. The young girl is put to the great use by keeping her mostly silent. It permits the audience to inhabit her character. Lauren Socha is also quite effective as the teen delinquent character. The biggest drawback is the long running time. This movie could be even better distilled into a tighter pace. Morton seems to be indulging a little too much in long ambling scenes.

MrGKB ...but perhaps that was the point in this melancholic writing/directorial debut from Samantha "The Messenger" Morton, who was apparently exorcising some demons. More power to her, and to the unwanted children this film so obviously champions. Happily, cinemaphiles will find much to admire in the acting, especially that of newcomer Molly Windsor--who will surely be someone to watch should she pursue the craft--and much of the photography and lighting is quite beautiful, but I'll be the first to admit that this one can be a tough slog, as the pace is quite restrained, undoubtedly deliberately so. "The Unloved" is a character-driven polemic, perhaps almost too didactic for its own good, and doesn't sport much in the way of mainstream appeal (much like its subject, I suppose). Still, it's a very well done piece, and worth a viewing, if only to remind yourself that it's a very good thing to not be one of the unloved in this world. I look forward to Ms. Morton tackling something else from the distaff side of the lens, but hope it will be something a little more energetic.

MJ I'm surprised to see so few reviews of this marvel. I also don't think this is a sad movie, unless you had a perfect childhood. Instead, it is reassuring and inspirational to find out that some have suffered more than us, and can put our imperfect pasts into perspective. The world is shown as seen solely through the eyes of the 11-year-old Lucy, who is almost merely an observer of her own life, with little dialogue and action in most parts; the script, the acting and the direction are as uncomplicated as they are powerful. Special mention should go to the lead actress: it is impossible to take your emotional eyes off Lucy at any time, and not to feel both the pains she suffers and the little joys she encounters; the longing for affection she endures and the masses of affection she radiates at the same time. The calm, humanity, love and care of Lucy's character are not diminished but instead reinforced by everything she goes through, and to that end she emerges triumphant from the film... and from life itself. The necessary consequence of all this is that the screen writer-director deserves the highest level of admiration, for both her life and for the direction of this piece, and also a massive thanks for sharing a lot of herself in this powerful drama.

Gregg Araki Actress Samantha Morton's directorial debut The Unloved was watched by nearly 2 million viewers on Channel 4 last night, Sunday 17 May.The critically acclaimed film about a girl's experiences in the care system, part of the broadcaster's Britain's Forgotten Children season, attracted a 1.9 million viewers and a 9% audience share between 9pm and 11.10pm. A further 101,000 watched on the catchup service Channel 4 +1 an hour later.South Pacific on BBC2 was watched by 2.4 million viewers, a 10% share of the audience, between 8.30pm and 9.30pm.This was followed on BBC2 by The Incredible Human Journey over the hour from 9.30pm, which averaged 2.3 million and an 11% share.