This corrosive short feature, directed by the late Alan Clarke for British television and adapted by Jim Cartwright from his play of the same title, offers a potent look at poverty and alcoholism in Lancashire, with impressive on-location camera work and dialogue that exults in its own theatricality and musicality (rather like that of Alan Bowne in Forty Deuce and John Guare in Six Degrees of Separation). The energetic cast includes Life Is Sweet’s Jane Horrocks and Naked’s David Thewlis and Lesley Sharpe. (JR)