FROM from co-writers and directors Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin (who also did TV’s “Drop The Dead Donkey”) comes this most agreeable, credible, sweet, intelligent family comedy.

Abi (Rosamund Pike) and Doug (David Tennant) have both been playing away. Until the divorce is heard, they’re keeping up appearances of solidarity, telling their children Lottie (Amelia Jones), Mickey (Bobby Smalldridge) and Jess (Harriet Turnbull) to keep it a family secret.

Today they’re driving from London to the big house near the Scottish coast just north of Fort William where Doug’s filthy-rich and overweening brother Gavin (Ben Miller) lives with mildly dotty but pleasant Margaret (Amelia Bullmore) and the brothers’ father Gordy (Billy Connolly) who’s about to turn 75.

It’s fair to say that while all the characters have important functions in telling the story and leading us into laughter, it’s the children and Gordy who make it work so well emotionally. What Billy Connolly film have we seen in which he didn’t dominate the humour while delivering choice morsels of wit? And the children’s performances are delightful without being precocious or precious.

Need a lift after a hard day? Or not? This can work wonders for how you feel after it.

At Palace Electric, Capitol 6 and Limelight