A whimsical fantasy, revolving around the world of Bingo, House (2000) was slipped innocuously into the UK’s staple cinematic diet of gangster movies and period dramas and emerged as a genuinely charismatic and immensely likeable film, blissfully content with its small-scale ambitions, not to mention lottery money well spent. Linda (Trainspotting’s Kelly MacDonald) is devoted to her job at the faltering La Scala Bingo Hall in rural Wales, which provides a welcome escape from her domineering aunt. Facing stiff competition from a rival hall, La Scala’s owner Mr. Alanzi (the wonderful Freddie Jones) is at a loss of how to save his beloved home, but Linda’s discovery of an unexpected gift could reverse their fortunes. Effortlessly charming and perfectly cast, House weaves its spirited feel-good tale with an eclectic set of characters (Jason Hughes’ flamboyant star number caller, Mossie Smith’s monstrous flirting colleague), while delivering a realistic glimpse of what makes a place special and memorable. Highly enjoyable, this is a small-scale gem.

On the DVD: Director Julian Kemp delivers a competent, if sometimes rambling commentary that delivers the goods about a straightforward production. Other than six trailers, there’s the chance to glimpse Kemp’s short-film Suckers, a suitably wry and cynical look at the world of door-to-door salesmen. --Danny Graydon