This is a highly effective script with a solid plot and deep, rich characters. The choice to spend a small but significant amount of time exploring Cliff’s own story and character pays off wonderfully, providing context to his actions without ever absolving him of blame. Indeed, he undergoes a tragic arc of his own, offered the potential to drag himself out of his negative spiral when Deborah essentially offers him an ultimatum, and for a shining moment it genuinely seems as if he might recover. All this makes it possibly more gut-wrenching to see him easily tumble back into his habits, and the script is all the better for exploring the family from all three angles.