BIRMINGHAM in 1972 is the decidedly unglamorous setting for Meera Syal's screenplay of her own, bestselling novel.

Much along the lines of East Is East and Billy Elliot, Anita and Me is a low-key but warm-hearted human drama packed with well-drawn characters and, of course, plenty of glam rock hits.

Meena (Chandeep Uppal) is the 12-year-old daughter of Indian parents who have moved to a Midlands mining village in order to give her a better life. But her idyllic existence is upset by the arrival in the village of Anita Rutter and her dysfunctional family.

Blonde, beautiful Anita represents everything that Meena wants for herself. The two become friends - but things run far from smoothly.

The film boasts a legion of A-list talent, including Max Beesley, Kathy Burke and stand-up comedian Omid Djalili. AW