Manny & Lo

After Mom dies, 11-year-old Manny is abducted by her 16-year-old sister Lo, an aggressively nihilist, petty criminal. They take off on a spree, ending up in a remote, deserted ski chalet. Trouble is, Lo's pregnant (though barely admits it), so they kidnap former nurse Elaine (Place), herself rather less stable than she first appears. This sweet if somewhat implausible first feature is a gentle, occasionally dark comedy-cum-coming-of-age drama, held together by strong interplay between the conflicting leads (Place is particularly good) and by a wry, pleasingly understated sense of humour.