The Arbor (2010): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2010, The Arbor is a drama and documentary film directed by Clio Barnard, running about 94 minutes. “A Documentary Re-Invented” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Portrayal of the late Bradford playwright Andrea Dunbar. Andrea Dunbar wrote honestly and unflinchingly about her upbringing on the notorious Buttershaw Estate in Bradford and was described as ‘a genius straight from the slums.’ When she died tragically at the age of 29 in 1990, Lorraine was just ten years old. The Arbor revisits the Buttershaw Estate where Dunbar grew up, thirty years on from her original play, telling the powerful true story of the playwright and her daughter Lorraine. Also aged 29, Lorraine had become ostracised from her mother’s family and was in prison undergoing rehab. Re-introduced to her mother’s plays and letters, the film follows Lorraine’s personal journey as she reflects on her own life and begins to understand the struggles her mother faced.

Who’s in it. The Arbor stars Christine Bottomley as Lisa Thompson, Manjinder Virk as Lorraine Dunbar, Natalie Gavin as The Girl and George Costigan as Jimmy 'The Wig', among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.0/10, The Arbor has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $21.3K at the box office.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on DocAlliance Films, Metrograph and Strand Releasing Amazon Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Fandango At Home and DocAlliance Films. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Arbor page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Arbor tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.