Critic Reviews

• Cath Clarke, Time Out

  This is low budget and it shows, but it's clear Thraves has still got something to say.

• Charlie Lyne, Ultra Culture

  Now you know what to do if Harry Potter is sold out.

• , Film4

  A charming, low-key Britflick, Treacle Jr boasts a great performance from Gillen, but Thraves' labour of love feels as directionless as its characters.

• Philip French, Observer [UK]

  The film has its moments and Aidan Gillen is impressive as the Hibernian hanger-on from hell, but it's a slight affair.

• Allan Hunter, Daily Express

  Treacle Jr is a little British gem that blossoms into an endearing salute to friendship and the power of positive thinking.

• Charlotte O'Sullivan, This is London

  Treacle Jr won't win Oscars or swell the bank balances of cast and crew. In other words, it ain't The King's Speech. But I'd choose it over Tom Hooper's film any day, because it shows a London I recognise.

• Christopher Tookey, Daily Mail [UK]

  Its portrait of an unconventional, curiously needy friendship developing in an inhuman environment does hold the attention.

• Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

  Gillen gives a, loose-limbed comic performance, often funny, sometimes very sad.

• Nigel Andrews, Financial Times

  Gillen steals the film, all whirly armed brio and Sylvester the Cat lisp. But it doesn't take much stealing.

• Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph

  A thoughtful tale of mid-life crisis and the comfort of strangers, it's gruff, funny and stealthily poignant, with a handmade sincerity you'd struggle to fake.

• Emma Simmonds, Little White Lies

  Entertaining but a touch slight, one thing that's in no doubt is that Treacle Jnr's heart is in the right place; it is, after all, a film named after a kitten.

• Damon Wise, Radio Times

  This is a nicely ragged and offbeat mismatched-buddy movie that, though it becomes a little predictable by the end, makes an unexpected hero of a profoundly irritating character.

• Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

  Thraves keeps us engaged with the central relationship even when his filmmaking gets a bit pushy.

• Matthew Turner, ViewLondon

  Engaging British drama that's both darkly funny and ultimately moving, thanks to impressive improv-style direction from Jamie Thraves and terrific performances from the two leads.

• Emma Dibdin, Total Film

  Gillen's manic turn is the attention grabber, but Fisher's quietly wounded man-on-the verge is a solid anchor.

• David Hughes, Empire Magazine

  A gritty story that manages to take a refreshing attitude to the lives of the less fortunate.

• Anton Bitel, Eye for Film

  the two central performances alone are enough to keep us engaged and entertained all the way through to the treacly - but not too treacly - end.

Read all 17 critic reviews