This film draws you in. It's very slow but you keep watching. It reminded me at times of 'I hired a contract killer' by Karismaki or the dreary kitchen sink realism in Mike Leigh's 'All or Nothing'. Gradually, as John May pursues his quest, his life improves, even though he is fired from his job in a despicable way. He finally finds the beginning of a friendship, perhaps even a romance but then, bam, that possibility of a happy ending is taken abruptly from us and we are given a corny, superstitious, spiritualistic closing scene instead, a choice the director apparently felt was incredibly deep and meaningful and which has indeed been approved by a good many other reviewers here. Shame... that brought my rating down from 8 to 6.

I almost didn't watch this movie because the description didn't sound very interesting, but it is utterly amazing for such a seemingly simple film. I am more than a little bit surprised that it apparently wasn't nominated for any Oscars. It was honored at over a dozen film festivals, though. Despite being about a very average and lonely man doing a largely thankless job, it subtly draws you in -- first with engaging vignettes of the man's life and then with the central detective-like quest he tasks himself with -- and leads you towards a predictable finish and then hits you with a moving twist and an even more perfect ending than what you were expecting. Be patient and you will be rewarded.

For me, this film doesn't put a foot wrong. The colours are sombre, the cinematography beautiful, the music haunting - just enough of it and well chosen - and the acting is flawless. Eddie Marsan conjures up yet another truly believable character -what an actor. In fact every actor has his or her part to play in this film as the ending clearly indicates.The subject matter is deeply fitting for a fragmented society such as ours but a tiny ray of hope exists in the loneliness of the people portrayed within, even though you've been thrown off balance. The ending is truly touching. This film will stay with you and I hope you will be left wondering why it didn't get more attention on its release - no special effects and explosions I suppose, just a well scripted and superbly acted independent film.

In a shifting world, where everything goes fast, and we try to get on with our busy busy lives, comes this quiet, haunting and basic film which very bluntly give us a reminder of what really matters; friendship and that somebody care for us, even when we are gone. The film deals with death, but the message is really to stop and re-think our priority's, and take care of those around us. Nobody should die alone. I remember reading a review of this film in a Norwegian paper, it was a good review, except the journalist did not like the ending. I disagree - death is something we have to deal with and this film points out the reason why. Remarkebly strong performances of everyone involved. One of the best British films that are made in recent times.