The Bookshop (out Mat 24) is set in the late 1950s and is ultimately a lengthy fight between two passionate women about whether a rundown building should be a bookshop or an arts centre. The characters are poorly developed, the narration adds no value, and certain parts of the narrative make no sense. Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson and Bill Nighy are all accomplished actors but their talents are not enough to save this confusing mess. Grade: C-.