The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet

Raised on a ranch by his naturalist mother (Helen Bonham-Carter) and his father - a cowboy born 100 years too late - the 12 year old eponymous prodigy (Kyle Catlett) invents, cartographs, and experiments; all the while dreaming of being recognised as a scientist. Finally, the Smithsonian Institute wants to give him a Baird award for his most recent invention -no less than a fully functional perpetual motion machine! The only problem is that the award ceremony is over 1000 miles away!

Hopping on a freight train to Washington DC, T.S.'s journey is beset with peril, and he must constantly outwit adults who think he has runaway, or who would take advantage of him. This film charmingly and seamlessly blends an almost cartoon-like sense of wackiness with the more heartfelt moments between T.S.'s family. For those who enjoyed Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom and Grand Budapest Hotel, this film will definitely hit the mark.

Natalie Tyldesley