Believe, film review: This sentimental kids' yarn is predictable but has plenty of heart

(PG) David Scheinmann, 96 mins Starring: Brian Cox, Natascha McElhone, Toby Stephens, Anne Reid

Well pitched: Brian Cox stars as Matt Busby in David Scheinmann's sweet-natured (Adam Lawrence)

This very sweet-natured, very sentimental Eighties-set kids' yarn, partially based on a "true" story, follows the legendary, now retired Man Utd manager Matt Busby (Brian Cox) as he takes a team of ragamuffin Mancunian street kids into an under-11 junior tournament.

The kids have no idea of his identity. The best player, Georgie (engagingly played by Jack Smith), is a troubled boy being brought up in straitened circumstances by his mum Erica (Natascha McElhone).

Georgie is trying to get into grammar school and still grieving the death of his dad in a car crash.

The trajectory of the film is as predictable as that of Georgie's best free kicks, but director David Scheinmann recreates the Eighties in exemplary fashion and tells the boy's story with heart and humour.