This semi-autobiographical story of a middle-class family's joys and tribulations in the run-up to WWII and its first years is generally well-made, with good acting. The period settings are mostly accurate, although it must be said that the attempts at seasonaility are poor: half-hearted artificial snow on full-leaved trees, birds still tweeting loudly in what is meant to be the depth of winter, and so on. But the interaction of characters is believable; some of them are a lot more pleasant than others. Working out all the relationships is a bit of a challenge in the first hour, so close attention is needed. The ending is a bit abrupt. Amongst a large cast, Ursula Howells, Emma Griffiths Malin and Hugh Bonneville stand out; Frederick Treves makes an irritating but probably accurate obsessive old man. ( )