You would've thought that upon her sad death the whole Victoria Wood back catalogue would have been reshown and brought out on DVD.

Sadly to my knowledge this has never happened with this piece of her writing.

It's a shame, because while not up to the standard of 'Eric and Ernie' or 'That Day We Sang' this remained a good bit of TV drama.

The story is somewhat thin, but it is saved by a good screenplay and script and in the end becomes a highly watchable film. Was Joyce really like this - sweet and good-natured one minute, discontented and sharp-tongued the next, because that's how she comes across in the film and we don't really know if it's the truth or just a confection designed to add a little spice to the proceedings. Despite Barrie's rather less than honest ways, he seems to get the rough end of the stick and it's impossible not to feel a good deal of sympathy for him. But on the other hand, was he really faking those recordings to make his wife feel better or just to pocket some quick cash? This film repeatedly pulls the viewer one way and then the other, which is probably a good thing.

I was immediately intrigued into seeing Loving Miss Hatto after being stunned by Housewife 49, penned also by Victoria Wood, the previous year. And I like both Alfred Molina and Francesca Annis very much, and love classical music. In the way that The Girl- the BBC Hitchcock biopic- was the biggest disappointment, Loving Miss Hatto was one of the highlights of the festive season. I found it very moving, insightful and impeccably acted on the whole. Both of the timezones depicted- 1950s and early 2000s- were realised beautifully and evocatively and the photography is controlled and unobtrusive. The music is really wonderful stuff, Rachmaninov and Chopin especially, and utilised here appropriately and very beautifully played, particularly the Chopin Etude which gave the drama a haunting but poignant note.

I wasn't familiar with the story prior to watching, but my dad did say it was big news. That didn't matter as whether or not I found that to be the case I found it compellingly told, with the part where Barry pours two squashes then realises that Joyce is no longer there really heartbreaking. The message, that of those of natural talent should be recognised, is subtle and makes its point I also loved the script, there are some great wood-isms that are funny in a subtle way, and it is insightful and deliciously ironic in places. The chemistry between Maimie McCoy and Rory Kinnear was very sweet and that of Alfred Molina and Francesca Annis gently moving.

Maimie McCoy and Rory Kinnear are excellent, the epitome of youth and hope. Phoebe Nicholls sinks her teeth into the archetype of a mother figure role. And as fascinating as the first half of Loving Miss Hatto was, I found even more pleasure in the second half. And Alfred Molina and Francesca Annis are why that was. Some may observe that Joyce has a big personality change in this part of the drama, but considering how bitter she is of her talent not being recognised that change was appropriate. I've had admiration for Annis ever since seeing her in the outstanding mini-series Lillie, and her performance even with its bitterness and sharpness has a nuanced pathos to it as well. But I found that Molina carried it, even with the deceptively light touch that Barry is written in with his sensitivity is astounding.

Victoria Wood also proves like she did with Housewife 49 that she is as equally talented at drama as she is in comedy. All in all, a really wonderful drama and one of the 2012 Christmas highlights. 10/10 Bethany Cox