Beginning with a choice quote from Pinocchio – one of the most famous stories about what constitutes a ‘real’ family – Sebastian Armesto’s For Grace, written by and starring Andrew Keatley, endeavors to explore these ideas of family, biological or created from love that has grown from time and affection. It is, in its own unassuming way, one of the most heartfelt films I’ve seen for a long time. Telling you any more would spoil what a treat this film is, and the emotional wallop of some of the subsequent twists and turns. We’re told by third parties including wife Sophie (Sophie Roberts) and adoptive parents Harriett (Carolyn Pertwee) and David (David Acton) that Ben is a pragmatic, self-sufficient and rather uptight person. He has his own successful risk-assessment business. He’s the last person in the world who can cope with his life turning inside out, making the fact that he does pursue the truth about his childhood all the more engaging. And as Ben’s outlook evolves across the swift 86-minute running time of the film, the style loosens a little and, by the end, we’re more or less watching the story as presented traditionally. Two thirds of the way through, unfiltered reality starts to break into the film within the film. Whether this slight shift bothers you or not depends on how well the film has carried you through thus far. While not spoiling his role in the film, Jacob Casselden’s performance as Peter brings the film to a new level and provides many of For Grace‘s most memorable moments. While Keatley at times holds on to the idea that this is a The Office-style dark comedy when it’s not entirely appropriate, there’s a real, unrelenting pathos to what Casselden is doing that I don’t think the film could do without. It’s not perfect, there are moments that teeter right on the edge between heartfelt and saccharine but, for a group of filmmakers for which For Grace is their first feature-length credit, it’s a hugely impressive outing. The best films, not just the enjoyable ones but the ones that you’ll remember, make you feel grateful you’ve seen them. This is such a film, and one I hope means great things to come from all those involved. For Grace is screening again at Raindance on 26th September at 7:30pm Follow our Twitter feed for faster news and bad jokes right here. And be our Facebook chum here.