What I love about this film
The faces of people are so expressive, especially Phil. People show all this compressed emotion that others do not acknowledge. I don't find it slow, but rather spare and intensely focussed on those emotions. It's amazing how separate people's little emotional worlds are for the most part. Rachel's mother sees all but refuses to get bogged down by it.
And then there are the interactions -- terrifying and exemplary. How is it that the family puts up with Rory rather than standing up to him? How is it that Rachel doesn't see what a nightmare her "boyfriend" is? So many petty and cruel unaware people, just like real life. We've probably all done stupid and petty things we regret and are ashamed of, and for that reason I feel pathos rather than contempt for the most part. Sam's risk taking behaviour and her mother's specific style of giving up in alcoholism seem tragic in a context where no one is communicating or helping each other. That family is a train wreck, much worse than the main one. Sam has energy and disgust for her family, but it her motivations are not constructive.
Most of the women try to carry on and carry a load. Even Sam bothers to make an emergency phone call for detestable Rory. How old is Rory, anyway? He acts like 14, but has the bulk of someone much older. I suppose he must be out of school, so 18.
The saddest thing is the communicative dysfunction. People don't use language to address the issues they face and work together to solve problems, in general. I see this all the time in my real life that looks nothing like this one. Emotions and assumptions highjack reason. This is the moving tragedy I see in this film.
The unfamiliar context, for me, of British poverty in public housing, gives a look into what others have attested is reality of a way of life. I'm glad it was portrayed without a soundtrack of rap music and boomcars, as it would have been impossible for me to focus on the emotions. As it probably is for the people in such situations who are just trying to carry on and make it through the day, or drown their pain with booze, lies, sex, whatever one can get.
Finally the pressure of circumstances gets too much and the emotions come out in some deeper communication between Phil and Penny, and the daughter contributes as well. What a relief. It seems they may be able to take a new tack from now on.