Some stories simply just have to be told to create a wonderful film.

Joyce Vincent dies in her flat above a shopping centre in 2003, TV still on, Christmas presents surrounding her. She is not discovered for three years. Her body has decomposed and has to be identified via dental records and a photo. After a few weeks of media coverage journalists can’t find anything more about this person, neither can the police.

At this point Carol Morley, a documentary film maker/director picked up a Sun newspaper and simply became obsessed. Dreams Of A Life is the result, tracking down people that knew her, ex-boyfriends, friends, family and simply interviewing them.

Interspersed between these fascinating interviews the audience experience a speculative version of her story with Joyce played brilliantly by Zawe Ashton and some haunting recordings of the real person.

The film becomes as much about the characters you meet as Joyce Vincent’s story herself. But the male obsession with the looks of Joyce becomes a troubling feature of the film.

Each viewer will have a deeply personal experience of this film and it comes highly recommended.

But the common feeling is one of hope, leaving wanting to love and cherish your nearest and dearest.

Four stars