Poor writing lets it down

I have heard so much about this film for so long but I was sorely disappointed with it. The main problem with this film is the writing. There is a severe lack of drama to keep the audience interested. It started off well with the fiesty but sweet and innocent little boy who then comes across a group of skinheads who also happen to be sweet and innocent and they all get on just fine - its nice for those characters but uninteresting and one-dimensional. Things do get interesting with the arrival of Stephens character but the entire film relies on his character (and the poor actor) for all the dramatic weight. Its a waste of the other characters (especially the girls who have nothing to do) and expects too much of one actor. Stephen does well with what hes given but the director/script demands too much from one actor alone to make the film. There are plot holes too - why is the boys mother only concerned at the end? why would Stephens character go to jail for a man who is sleeping with the love of his life? Its a film that had potential but was let down by a dire script.