Janice Beard 45 WPM

Janice's dad died right there in the delivery room when she was being born, leaving mum a traumatised agoraphobic ever since. Through childhood, she made a point of telling very tall tales, hoping to cajole her mother out of their Glasgow flat. Now, however, the time is ripe for Janice Beard (Walsh) to spread her own wings. She plans to make enough money in London to buy expensive treatment for the old girl. Starting on the bottom rung of a motor company, she has the unwritten rules of typing pool etiquette to learn, like not getting on the wrong side of the Essex gal supervisor (Kensit). Still, she may have found a kindred spirit in Sean (Ifans), a happy go lucky junior. Kilner's first film charms because it makes the best of its own modest parameters. Though the audience is ahead of the plotting throughout, it matters less than the quality time we spend with the likeable characters caught up in the creaking farce. Walsh's screen debut is a gem, while the ubiquitous Ifans gives of his best and Kensit brings surprising heart to her secretarial role.