Irene works in a supermarket whilst trying to raise her two young boys.

The pay is low, the house is in a state of perpetual repair and to make matters worse, she lives with a cocaine habit which she 'believes' her children are blissfully unaware of.

After attempting to pay off her dealer, using her son's birthday cheque from Granny, Irene realises she has hit a low and elects to check herself into re-hab.

During her time in the clinic, Irene meets Bob, a male nurse whose sympathies run a little deeper than most of the outsiders in Irene's life.

Bob confides in Irene, telling her of his own struggle to recover while providing her with added strength and mutual comfort.

And while this new relationship develops, Irene's marriage hits the rocks.

The time she spends with Bob is no walk in the park. With the pair being recovering addicts, the volatility of the relationship is obvious.

Even at work, Irene has to face a new world. So used to being hyped up on amphetamines, the speed at which she stocks the shelves is somewhat diminished thanks to her new healthy lifestyle.

It's a cruel touch of irony in a film steeped in sadness.

Irene's journey takes her through peaks and troughs as she tries to develop the requisite strength to fight the addictions and put her life on track.

Originally planned as a documentary before being re-worked as a feature debut, director Debra Granik utilises the raw first-hand detail that lends itself to documentary making, whilst displaying a certain empathy for the characters.

Granik never succumbs to moralising or pleading on behalf of the characters and this is further established by the formidable performances of the cast.

Victoria Juett