A Brilliant Conflict

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

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

I have given this such a low rating as, in my opinion, it is a very poor adaptation of the book by Jacqueline Wilson. It had the potential to be extremely powerful, and yet it feels as if the whole thing is rushed. The actors used are OK but they do not seem quite 'right' for the parts. A lot is left out that I believe makes the book more moving - for example Dolphin's experience in the foster home and her early relationship with her father. I was so disappointed with this adaptation but I forced myself to watch to the end in the hope that it would get better, and it didn't. If you're a fan of easy-watching dramas then go ahead and watch this and you may like it, but if you have read the book and are hoping for a fantastic drama adaptation then give this a miss - it is just a massive disappointment.

Well, where do I start? The novel by Jacqueline Wilson is my absolute favourite book and when the DVD pack from Channel4.com arrived I shoved it in the DVD Player and pressed play. I'd seen bits of this from when I was about nine and I'm thirteen now. I was NOT disappointed with the drama, I knew I wouldn't be. I never watched Eastenders, so I wasn't familiar with Michelle Collins, who played the bipolar mother, Marigold Westward, but I was thrilled, as I was with Holly Grainger's performance of the older sister, Star, who clearly resents her mother most of the time. However, I WAS familiar with Alice Connor's (Dolphin) work because I am a fan of The New Worst Witch and the original. She was brilliant, because of course she is a brilliant actress, in fact my favourite. I recently started watching My Spy Family because Alice stars in it.There are many high and low points in the drama. Here's my two favourite heart-warming and heart-wrenching moments:Heart Wrenching:Marigold in stooping up the stairs, while their "old bat" neighbour from the downstairs flat yells at her:MRS LUFT: You'll have them kiddies taken from you. Drinking yourself into snooper, you're a disgrace:Heart warming:(This is the very last scene)Marigold is in the hospital bed while Star and Dol are talking to her:Dolphin: I love you, Marigold Marigold: I love you too, Dolly Dolphin Star: I love you, mum

Very good adaption of Jacqueline Wilson's book. Brilliant performances by all three of the main cast. Spent the whole of the program wondering where I recognised Star from.. Good drama all round.

Not much of a plot but worth watching alone for the excellent performance given by Alice Conner as Dol (Dolphin), who plays the younger of two daughters of Michelle Collins. This is also one of Michelle Collins best performances since leaving Eastenders.