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Andrea Arnold blends magical realism, comedy and a bit of mystery into this coming-of-age fable starring newcomer Nykiya Adams and Barry Keoghan.

Bailey (Nykiya Adams), a 12-year-old girl living on the margins in Kent, struggles with the pain of managing a dad (a high-spirited Barry Keoghan) fixated on feckless money-making schemes. Bailey's mom has an abusive boyfriend, and her older sibling is drifting toward violent crime. She unexpectedly finds relief in Bird, a quietly charismatic stranger (Franz Rogowski) with a fluid identity and family problems of his own. 

Writer-director Andrea Arnold, unparalleled in providing us with clear-eyed, compassionate portraits of troubled and restless youth (Fish Tank, American Honey), spikes her social realism with transporting moments of magic, comedy and an abundance of nature.