“THE BAD MOTHER’S HANDBOOK”

Lionsgate, $26.98, available Tuesday.

Grade: B

Robert Pattinson made this British dramedy in 2007 P.T. (pre- “Twilight”), which explains his top billing on the DVD. But the heartthrob isn’t central to why this small, sweet film delivers. Based on the best-selling UK book of the same name, the movie about three generations of women struggling to survive accomplishes so much in its modest 70 minutes.

Catherine Tate powers the cast as Karen, a single mom sandwiched between her aging mother and outspoken teenage daughter Charlotte (Holliday Grainger). Karen’s unexpected discovery that she was adopted and Charlotte’s unplanned pregnancy set the scene for lovely performances that will remind viewers of the mid-1990s hit “Secrets and Lies.”

Pattinson’s supporting turn as a geek with a crush on Charlotte is slightly hysterical. His character, Daniel, sports an anti- Edward bowl haircut, sweater vests and thick black eyeglasses, but his jerky movements are overly awkward, even for a nerdy teen. The disc contains no extras. – JILL RADSKEN

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