One of the few I actually intended to go to the cinema for (but didn't)... what a joy and how wonderful it was so swiftly on terrestrial TV (BBC1 last night).

Judi Dench was brilliant, setting her up for the inevitable Oscar for Notes On A Scandal (I've not seen that but the combination of her ability and the magnificent character created in the novel by Zoe Heller make it a dead cert).

Hoskins was terrific too, not (thank God) playing an East End villain for a change.

Thelma Barlow was a revelation - nothing Corrie there!

Will Young was excellent (reminded me of my own Sun Has Got His Hat On vocal).

Delicious, gentle gem of a movie. Loved it!