Those who like a bit of a fairy story - Cinderella or the novels of Jane Austen or the Bronte sisters, for example - I Capture The Castle is the ideal film for you.

Set in 1930s' Suffolk, the tale is seen through the eyes of 17-year-old Cassandra (Romala Garai), who narrates the funny-yet-poignant adventures of her eccentric family through her diary.

Her father, Mortmain (Bill Nighy), is a reclusive author who has been suffering from writer's block ever since the publication of his highly-acclaimed debut novel 20 years previously.

A double bombshell is dropped when his royalty cheque is cancelled and the family's benevolent landlord dies, throwing them into crisis when they have to pay two years' rent arrears.

Sensing a desperate life in poverty, the precocious Cassandra and her beautiful sister, Rose (Rose Byrne), hatch a plan to save the dilapidated castle they live in by marrying one of the rich brothers who have inherited their estate.

However, a problem arises when the family's prize commodity, the beautiful Rose, does not really love their benefactor, the eldest brother, Simon (Henry Thomas, better known for his role as Elliot in ET).

At this point the film turns into classic Austen with the younger brother, Neil (Marc Blucas), falling in love with Rose, Cassandra with Simon and the family's servant, the handsome Stephen (Henry Cavill), falling for Cassandra .

Written by Dodie Smith, who also wrote 101 Dalmatians back in 1948, I Capture the Castle follows the well-trodden and predictable romantic narrative of Austen and the Brontes.

That isn't to say the film is a soppy, predictable affair. Well, okay, it is, and it is silly in parts, such as when Cassandra locks her father up until he writes another masterpiece but that isn't to say it is bad.

On the contrary, the story is charmingly written, offering a fresh and piercing insight into two sisters' awakening to love, longing and envy.

Garai, best known for her part in the BBC2 drama, Attachments, convincingly recreates the emotional turmoil of being a teenage girl. Considering this is her first lead role in a feature film, she is very impressive.

Also starring are the irrepressible Sinead Cusack, who plays the boys' mother, Mrs Cotton, and the talented Tara Fitzgerald, as Mortmain's wife, Topaz, the free-spirited and idiosyncratic former artist's model several years his junior.

It wouldn't take Inspector Morse, Miss Marples, or Scooby Doo for that matter, to work out how the story ends but there are a few pleasant suprises in this film which, understandably, appeals more to lasses than the lads. Sorry boys, no football or fight scenes, I'm afraid.

April 30, 2003 10:30