The common conception of a road movie is one where the characters hurtle down California's Highway One behind the wheel of a convertible Chevy.

What is not generally envisaged is a journey by moped on B-roads from the East Midlands to Blackpool for a darts championship.

Yet that's where Colin (Sheen) must head to win back the love of his wife Sandra (Robbins), who has run off with arrogant copper Geoff (Carter).

Setting off on his trusty Honda 50 - the chosen mode of transport for life's losers - he discovers the journey itself will change him in ways he couldn't have predicted.

He spends the night at a bikers' pub in the kindly company of a couple (Mark Strong, Phillipa Peak), who seem genuinely interested in who he is.

Then he runs into Celia Imrie leading a Brownie pack across the moors...but not before they've found time to surreally garland his moped in autumn leaves.

Finally, he's given a lift by lecherous pub landlord Ron (Addy), who's also off to the Vegas of the North with his barmaid mistress and her truculent daughter.

Sheen, who is afflicted with the appearance of a young Stan Boardman, is possibly a bit too gormless to suddenly find his world view opening up.

However, he puts in a winning performance of bruised hope while entertaining a bizarre concept of the rituals of courtship. ("We could go and see the Grumbleweeds.")

It isn't a movie of big laughs but small pleasures and achieves the first of giving Blackpool Pleasure Beach the romantic allure of Coney Island.

Tim Evans