DUANE HOPKINS’S examination of today’s vulnerable and disenfranchised youth in David Cameron’s “broken Britain” is a timely feature as the election race hots up.

Written by Hopkins, Bypass paints a bleak picture as it exposes the brutal reality for young people with no job and no support.

In it, a virtually unrecognisable George MacKay — whose previous outings include Pride and Sunshine on Leith — gives a sterling performance as Tim.

He’s struggling to take care of his wayward younger sister (Lara Peake) following their mum’s death and their older brother’s incarceration.

Tim’s essentially a good kid but he’s hounded by the bailiffs, suffers deteriorating health and, with no help from family or social services, is trapped in a life of petty crime in order to make ends meet.

Hopkins’s attempt to portray social reality within the thriller format is admirable.

But it would have been better served without the moody montages and pretentious camera work.