Starfish review – a true story of disease and domestic struggle

The true story behind this well-meaning account of disease and domestic struggle is profoundly shocking. Husband and father Tom (Tom Riley) is struck down with sepsis shortly before the birth of his second child. He survives, but loses his hands, lower legs and part of his face. Day-to-day life for Tom, his wife, Nicola (Joanne Froggatt), and his children becomes an unimaginable struggle. It’s a tough watch. A tale of endurance that is explored intimately but somewhat prosaically, this is probably better suited to television than cinema.