Parliamo Glasgow

Lilia is a recent Polish immigrant, living in a Glaswegian tower-block with her little sister Natalia and their mum. She's a conscientious daughter, a good kid distanced from her neighbours by language barriers and prejudice. When an ominous letter from the council arrives she reaches out for help, and, eventually, enjoys a positive response.

Edyta Budnik is good as Lilia, convincingly frustrated, irate and isolated as her situation changes. She's sweet on local boy Brendan, and it's during their endearingly halting flirting she encounters Tony, a crotchety old man who lives a few floors up. James Grant is eventually charming in the role, teaching Lilia proper pronunciation with the aid of his biscuit tin. Admittedly after she's aided by his nosy neighbour Nancy (Anne Downie) in a shouting match.

This is a touching little film, a reminder (albeit fictional) that there is some capacity for generosity and friendliness in the Dear Green Place. Writer Stewart Thomson has a good ear for the Glasgow patter, but in fairness he's helped by the cast - Downie and Grant are veterans, and in her one scene Anna Wendzikowska gives a powerful performance, watched by her worried daughter Lilia as she talks to her own mum on the phone.

Director Hope Dickson Leach does a good job with an international(ish) cast and the demands of bilingual filmmaking. She also does an excellent job of framing life in Glasgow's high-rise flats. One shot in particular stands out, Tony, concerned, watching from his eyrie little Natalia skipping home as her worried sister trudges lonely behind her.

Parliamo Glasgow manages to be both heartbreaking and heartwarming, admittedly not both at the same time but still no mean feat. It may not be as gritty as other depictions, but in fairness Glasgow is at times "smiles better", and this is clearly one of them.