(Three stars)

IMELDA Staunton is outstanding in the role of Vera Drake - loving mother, selfless wife, loyal friend and back-street abortionist.

Vera believes it's her duty to help pregnant young woman who have no means or desire to go through with the birth.

The alternative for these women in the 50s was to go to a doctor, claim they were suicidal with a history of mental illness in their family and then, if the doctor agreed to the termination, part with huge amounts of money.

Vera does not charge for her services but when the police catch up with her, she is horrified to discover her friend has been taking money from the desperate women for decades.

The acting from Staunton and Phil Davis, who plays Vera's husband Stan, is wonderful but this is without doubt one of the most miserable films ever to have been made.

We are moved from one gloomy scene to the next and there are virtually no scenes with colour in - presumably to reflect the misery and darkness felt by Vera's "clients".

After viewing this, one may be left with a terrible sinking feeling, but Vera Drake is certainly an antidote for all the feel-good American trash movies which are currently being mass-produced.

HC