At Thorntree, a home for alcoholic men, the hours are strictly regulated: breakfast, lunch, dinner – all clearly marked on a blackboard. At the same time, the twelve current residents, each in their fifties and familiar with the hardships of the streets, are given unusual leeway: Alcohol is allowed in Thorntree. Not all the men give in to their addiction, though. Gerry, for example, has been sober for two years and although he talks about his inner struggles, he sticks to a strict routine. Donald, on the other hand, oozes charm, but “is just doing whatever he wants to do”, sometimes ending up on the floor of the centre. Vodka bottles pile up in Stevie’s flat; as the film progresses, he embarks on a detox programme and then returns to Thorntree. Isaac Knights-Washbourn, who has seen the effects of alcoholism in his own family, observes his protagonists with interest and respect. He organically provides insights into the structure of the institution while allowing the men plenty of space for interaction, introspection and, above all, fellowship.