My first impression of Sanctuary, an Irish film about two people with intellectual disabilities (lovely performances by Kieran Coppinger and Charlene Kelly) who want to be together, was that it was a gentle, low-key comedy with charm but not much in the way of impact. The physical humour is well handled, and although the performances, from non-professional actors with special educational needs, are not polished, they are persuasive. But there is rather more to it than that. A devastating conclusion leaves us with an aching sadness and some quite profound questions about the basic human right to love the person we choose.
Sanctuary review – low-key charm and more
This gentle Irish love story packs a surprise punch