The Unloved (2010)

94% of critics liked it
(17 reviews)
65% of users liked it
(225 ratings)

Two-time Academy Award nominee Samantha Morton's directorial debut THE UNLOVED is a powerful and personal look at the strength and resilience of youth. Morton tells the story of eleven-year-old Lucy (newcomer Molly Windsor) seeking refuge as a ward of the state from her abusive father (Robert… More Two-time Academy Award nominee Samantha Morton's directorial debut THE UNLOVED is a powerful and personal look at the strength and resilience of youth. Morton tells the story of eleven-year-old Lucy (newcomer Molly Windsor) seeking refuge as a ward of the state from her abusive father (Robert Carlyle). Placed in a tumultuous foster home, Lucy befriends her rebellious teenage roommate Lauren (Lauren Socha), and together they navigate the cold and uncaring world before them. With a screenplay by Tony Grisoni (FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS) based on original material by Samantha Morton, THE UNLOVED captures the subtle magic and melancholy of childhood while painting an honest portrait of a girl torn between a broken family and an inept social system. -- (C) Oscilloscope

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Samantha Morton
Written By: Samantha Morton
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: May 6, 2009 Wide
On DVD: May 24, 2011
Studio: Oscilloscope Laboratories

Critic Reviews

Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
As an overall representation of horrors, neglect, and personal solace, it's frustratingly static, often preferring the cool waters of esoteric cinema to something more charged and insightful.
Jeremy Heilman, MovieMartyr.com
The Unloved is a promising debut for director Morton, but it's sometimes too sensitive where it should be insightful.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
Morton shows a remarkable confidence as director of this intensely personal drama, which is loosely based on her own experiences.
Philip De Semlyen, Empire Magazine
Poignant, perceptive and unrelenting, this may be bleak, like all great drama, it is ultimately uplifting as well.
Trevor Johnston, Time Out
Windsor's taciturn and stoic central performance is both haunting and affecting, framed by Morton's deliberate, even stately direction.
Kevin Maher, Times [UK]
The camera is held at kiddie height, the close-ups are all Lucy's, and the adult world is viewed with deep suspicion as a cold and unforgiving place. It's a tough watch, and justifiably uncompromising.
Xan Brooks, Guardian [UK]
The climactic scene, in which Morton's heroine confronts her mum, is one of the most quietly gut-wrenching things I've seen in years.
Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph
Funny, real, poetic and frightening, not the gruelling tract about neglect you might expect.
Adam Woodward, Little White Lies
This is clearly a very personal film; sensibly sustained through a vérité aesthetic that keeps the narrative potent, but not overbearing.
Chris Prince, Sky Movies
Realised with impeccable craftsmanship, Samantha Morton's directorial debut never puts a foot wrong dramatically, although its unflinching stare at a young life stymied by neglect offers little in the way of comfort.
Simon Kinnear, Total Film
It's commanding, committed and sometimes too chilly to truly engage, but it's also heartfelt, powerful stuff - especially in Lauren Socha's passionate, painful performance as Lucy's lost-cause roommate.
Andrew Collins, Radio Times
Actress Samantha Morton's powerful directorial debut is an often painfully sad account of a young girl's experiences.
David Edwards, Daily Mirror [UK]
A movie with an important message and is an impressive debut from Morton.
Charlotte O'Sullivan, This is London
Authentic and hyper-real, a reflection of a young girl's inner life that never strays into hysteria.
Anthony Quinn, Independent
A few of the more lyrical touches don't quite come off, but in general this has a visual and dramatic punch that does credit both to its young star and its first-time director.
Allan Hunter, Daily Express
Not exactly an uplifting film but one made with genuine compassion and honesty.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
A powerfully emotional drama that marks Morton out as a directorial talent to watch.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Mark W

This directorial debut from actress Samantha Morton was first aired on television. Due to it's success, it was subsequently released theatrically and deservingly so. This is a film that deserves a wider audience and deserving of the acclimations it recieved also. The unloved of… More
This directorial debut from actress Samantha Morton was first aired on television. Due to it's success, it was subsequently released theatrically and deservingly so. This is a film that deserves a wider audience and deserving of the acclimations it recieved also. The unloved of the title is 11 year old Lucy (Molly Windsor). She has a distant mother (Susan Lynch) who couldn't care less and a father (Robert Carlyle) who beats her. It's not long before she is taken into care and the lonliness she experiences, when she is supposedly being supported, is just as damaging and demoralising as her life at home. Straight away we are given a glimpse of the tumultuous life of Lucy in a harrowing opening scene with Carlyle on typical edgy and threatening form as her physically abusive father. Following on from this we are given a candid portrayal of childhood within the British care system and a magnetic and heartbreaking performance by young Molly Windsor. Without uttering a word, she manages to convey her lonliness and suffering by just a glance. This is loosely based on Samantha Morton's own childhood and at times I had to remind myself that it wasn't her I was watching onscreen. It's a deliberately paced and beautifully shot film, not without some haunting moments and shows great promise for the two time Oscar nominated actress behind the camera. For as little screen time as he gets, Robert Carlyle still manages a magnificent and multi-layered portrayal of a downtrodden and abusive alcoholic. This is a film that is certainly bleak and may be off putting to some, but underneath it all is a resilient beating heart and despite the odds, still manages to show positivity. A few loose ends went without satisfactory conclusions but other than that, this is a film where the performances and harrowing nature linger long after viewing it. A persistantly vigorous film and a highly emotional experience. Sensitive, realistic dramas don't come much more powerful than this.
Anastasia B

I watched this yesterday night at the opening in TIFF (Thessaloniki International Film Festival). It's a beautiful, sensitive film that deals with a very controversial subject. Samantha Morton keeps the balance, by being realistic, but at the same time she lets the emotion flow… More
I watched this yesterday night at the opening in TIFF (Thessaloniki International Film Festival). It's a beautiful, sensitive film that deals with a very controversial subject. Samantha Morton keeps the balance, by being realistic, but at the same time she lets the emotion flow without exploiting her audience. Most scenes are slow and they take their time to grow on you. The framing is always accounted for, with rare economy and attention to detail. Molly Windsor, as Lucy, remains with you long after you've left the room. I must say I admired the way the director and the screenwriter (Tony Grisoni) handled her relationship with her father. One of the scenes I will never forget, is how she enters the pub where he hangs out, how she sits on the corner of the sofa, just waiting for him to get near her. The conflict of love versus abuse has stricken a very powerful chord, here. I unreservedly give this a 4 out of 5. Good luck with the film, Samantha.

Cast

Molly Windsor
as Lucy
Robert Carlyle
as Father
Susan Lynch
as Mother

Lauren Socha
as Lauren

The Unloved (2010)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Mark W

Anastasia B

Cast

Photos