The film follows the story of young teen April whose troubled life began in a dustbin - a new born baby, abandoned and alone, not celebrated, not wanted but discarded and left like so much rubbish in an industrial bin behind a pizza parlour. On the morning of her fourteenth birthday April has a devastating row with her foster mother, Marion and leaves the house determined to find out where she really comes from, who she really is and maybe, just maybe, find her real mother. Telling no-one what she's up to or where she's going, April skips school and begins the search she's dreamed about all her life. It's a blur of social workers, children's homes and special schools as April revisits and recalls the key scenes of her fragmented past. It's a painful journey, sometimes frightening but there's also friendship and love and laughter. And now she's started, there's no going back - April must find her mother.
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Reviews
Very well executed
The Age of Commercialism
It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.
A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
Wow, what an absolutely lovely movie! Enjoyed every minute of it and as a bloke, had me reaching for paper tissues at the end. A simple story of a young girl who was dumped at birth in the dustbin behind a pizza parlour and after various care homes is eventually brought up for a period by the Teacher from the school, Juliette Stevenson as Marion. this is low budget and typically British and without doubt unmissable with anyone with a child. Juliett as Marion is outstanding and Dakota blue Richards as April is one to watch for the future. I love the moment half way through of the rubbish being used for a artistic 'horse' and will definitely be giving my own teenage children ideas from this one in a positive way. the mobile phone birthday present thing was a good story line and don't miss the shots of hatfield house, the stately home bossed by Marions friend and former home of Elizabeth I. I think the main town featured is Watford but I stand to bed corrected. Two great British movies in the last few days, harry Brown and this one, but totally different kinds of films. keep it away from the American market, this is a quality film to be enjoyed at the cinema or DVD
I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent adaptation. A great collaboration between the BBC and Kindle and beautifully directed by Juliet May, who clearly empathised with the subject. The character portrayal was superb; a wonderfully natural relationship between the charmingly batty Marion and Elliot; and consummate performances from all 3 Aprils.I was interested to see 'beefnlola's' comment about the dexterous and sinister April. In fact both younger April's were left handed, so Dakota was the odd one out. Perhaps she broke her left arm during a burglary at the age of 12! That aside there was little to criticise in what proved to be a remarkably un-sentimental 90 minutes of good viewing. Something the BBC could happily repeat so far as I'm concerned; I'll be in the queue to buy the DVD in January.
When I received a replying letter from Jackie herself, it mentioned there was going to be a drama of Dustbin Baby, so I read the book before watching this. I flew through the book, it was really riveting and with the drama I was equally impressed. Jacqueline Wilson says it was the best adaptation of her work. When I first heard about a character, Elliot, who was not in the book, I was a bit disappointed, but David Haig portrays Elliot brilliantly. Some of the novel was missed out, which was disappointing, but overall the drama was excellent.Dakota Blue Richards plays April well and so does the young actress playing Young April. If you haven't read the book, READ IT. It has some extra bits in it. Still, the drama is great, great, great.It's brilliant that the DVD will be released on 12th January.
As a teacher who has used the book in lessons in order to develop the skills of empathy and the use of emotion, I thought the film was excellent. I will be waiting for it to become available as a DVD and then use the scenes alongside the chapters.The lead character played by Dakota Blue Richards is portrayed very well - complete with teenage acne! One glaring error - the young April was shown writing left handed when doing her homework at the Sunnyholme children's home, but the 13 year old is shown as right handed!As ever with Jacqueline Wilson - you get what she wants you to get...raw emotion...thoroughly recommend it.
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