On the face of it, forensic psychologist Lydie (Swinton) wouldn't be the ideal choice to investigate the alleged murder of a newborn by a gymslip mum.

She's heavily pregnant herself after a previous term ended with a stillborn and afflicted by all the horrific consequences - gynaecological and psychological - that experience would entail.

Anyway, she's landed with the case of Stephanie Daley (Tamblyn), a model high school pupil, regular churchgoer and cosseted only child, who faces an infanticide charge.

How this exemplary young girl got to become disparagingly known locally as "ski mom" is explained in a series of flashbacks as Lydie interviews the youngster.

The crux of the matter harks back to her coldly efficient seduction at a frat party and her consequent self-denial about the fact that she was with child.

We first meet her as she struggles up a ski slope, blood sluicing from her body, after she gave birth to a daughter in a snow lodge toilet cubicle.

However, while Lydie is gently coaxing the truth out of her, the psychologist's own pregnancy is turned into an emotional minefield.

She believes her husband may be having an affair after discovering an earring in the cat litter and is in a constant state of alert after losing her previous baby in the final trimester.

Director Hilary Brougher weaves a compelling tale leading up to... well, not leading up to very much as it happens.

Both Swinton (who executive produced) and Tamblyn are excellent, compellingly playing off one another as the similarities of their predicaments become evident.

However, it doesn't seem to go anywhere, finally delivering a bit of a dud.

Tim Evans