Does God Play Football?

Tommy (the superb Michael de Burca) is a footie fan, he kicks about in his kit all the time when he's not at home with mum. It's sometime in the 1960s and, you sense life is good for Tommy - except for one thing.

Dad's not about, so by way of a substitute Tommy has adopted God and, by extension, the local priest (Kevin McKidd putting in a neat low-budget appearance). He prays for an earthly Dad, too, though, and it seems that the Lord works in interesting ways.

As a celebration of life and optimism this film has a lot of heart. Director Mike Walker manages to capture the mixture of slight awe and complete acceptance which children have for the 'magical' qualities of God. But, though the atmosphere is on the money, the plotline is lacking.

Much of what goes on here is all too predictable, although not everything is as clear cut as it first appears. You sense better things to come from Walker - though I wonder if he might be better concentrating on honing his interesting and intelligent directing while letting others provide him with the scripts.