Mike Leigh's mournful study of contemporary family life is the perfect antidote to the slam-bang pyrotechnics of xXx.

Set on a run down south London housing estate, All Or Nothing is an intimate study of people, running scared from the loneliness and despair which underpins their humdrum lives.

The character development, rich dialogue and tour-de-force performances are the result of workshops and improvisation between the director and his superb ensemble cast, including regular collaborators Timothy Spall and Lesley Manville.

They play Phil and Penny Bassett, a taxi driver and supermarket cashier wife who have forgotten how to communicate with each other, and their dysfunctional children Rachel (Garland) and Rory (Corden).

Matters come to a head when Rory is rushed into hospital with a suspected heart attack, and Phil and Penny are forced to re-evaluate their marriage.

Meanwhile, next door, Maureen (Sheen), who works in the supermarket with Penny, has her own troubles.

Her rebellious daughter Donna (Coker) is involved with an abusive, no-good boyfriend (Mays).

The only way to stop the circle of violence is for Donna to tell him to go, but is she strong enough?

Spall is masterful - the scene in which he begs forgiveness from Manville ("You don't love me no more") for being a lousy husband is raw and powerful.

Leigh's direction is assured, coolly witnessing the breakdown of the family unit, and the gradual healing of old wounds.