5 OF THE BEST

Fans of Armando Iannucci’s usual brand of tart, savage satire may find themselves disorientated when watching this fresh-yet-faithful Dickensian adaptation. Starring Dev Patel as our mild-mannered hero, lacks the fire and brimstone of Iannucci’s former work (despite sharing some of its starring players) and instead presents disarmingly kind messages of persistence and friendship. Patel and his co-stars are perfectly cast, the former leaning into hisDaisy May Cooper. Briskly paced and shot through with a very British brand of humour, the film is still undeniably Iannucci’s, but showcases a warmer, sweeter form of storytelling than many of his past endeavours that’s just as entertaining to behold.