★★★☆☆

Defying the notion that tough-luck tales have to be depressing, the directorial debut of Charlotte Regan comes out fighting. Throwing comedy, energy and positivity at an ostensibly grim story and swapping social realism for the magical variety, Scrapper is built on a star-making turn from Lola Campbell, staunchly supported by one of the actors of the hour, Harris Dickinson.

Permanently clad in an oversized West Ham shirt, Campbell plays Georgie, a savvy schoolgirl living alone on an East London estate following the death of her mum. Georgie has scammed social services by inventing an uncle and nicking bikes with partner-in-crime Ali (Alin Uzun) to make ends meet. Her world is rocked by the re-emergence of her estranged father, Jason (Dickinson), who has been living large in Ibiza; yet, little by little, they let each other in.

The portrayal of social workers and teachers feels a little unkind for such a big-hearted film, and a sharper script could have helped some of the comic flourishes truly pop. Although it lacks the emotional punch of the excellent, similarly themed Rocks, Scrapper stands apart from its more dour peers without ever feeling too pie-in-the-sky. And the lovability of its lead pairing is something to savour. 

Screening as part of Sundance Film Festival London on Thursday 6 & Friday 7 July (times vary). In cinemas from Friday 25 August.