The oddest of odd couples are at the centre of this delightful British mockumentary from debut feature director Jim Archer, based on his 2017 short. Set in rural Wales, it sees a reclusive and spectacularly unsuccessful inventor astonish even himself when he fashions a robot who turns out to be exactly the companion he needs.

The film’s writers David Earl and Chris Hayward play Brian and Charles, creator and creation respectively. Made from a washing machine, mannequin and other bits and bobs in a mere 72 hours, Charles looks pretty bizarre, has a peculiar turn of phrase (‘yumsville!’) and, it turns out, can be very cheeky indeed. There’s a romantic interest for Brian in shy Hazel (Louise Brealey), who lives with her fearsome mum in the nearby village, while local bully Eddie (Jamie Michie) and his menacing daughters provide the threat.

In the tradition of US indie charmer Robot And Frank, and with a sitcom feel to its domestic interactions, this is sci-fi in the lowest possible key. Combining folksiness with futuristic, synth-infused notes, the score does a good job at bridging the gap between big ideas about consciousness and rights, and the film’s enjoyably modest (or, in the case of Charles, deliberately shoddy) execution.

Brian And Charles might seem very minor but there’s climactic excitement that’s genuinely nail-biting, and the vulnerability and likeability of its characters mean there’s plenty at stake. Moreover, there’s a strange poignancy to the trajectory and essence of the story as Charles goes through something resembling adolescence and begins to yearn for independence. The titular duo have a lovely rapport, with Hayward delivering sublime, beautifully timed voicework, and Earl inhabiting an endearing curmudgeon. How wonderful that a film this funny can also be so sweet.

Brian And Charles is in cinemas from Friday 8 July.