Nowhere Boy

Sam Taylor-Wood's captivating drama is based on the memoir by Julia Baird, John Lennon's half-sister. As well as inspiring a rollickingly engaging biopic of the formative years in the young Beatle-to-be's musical and sentimental education, the film is also a wonderful evocation of mid 1950s Liverpool.

Fifteen year old Lennon's world threatens to implode when he discovers that his Aunt Mimi's 'high strung' sister, Julia, is actually his mother. While negotiating that particular emotional minefield, Lennon also clashes with authority figures at school.

Music becomes solace and saviour for the rebellious young teen. When Lennon holds auditions for band members and enlists a precocious young guitarist named Paul McCartney, the rising fortunes of his skiffle group, The Quarrymen, seem assured.

Kristin Scott Thomas (Easy Virtue) and Anne-Marie Duff (TV's Shameless) co-star.