Based loosely on a biography by Roger Lewis, already denounced by the family, The Life And Death Of Peter Sellers would appear to be one of those films that leaves you nervous as to whether what you're watching is a factual portrait of a great actor's life, or a piece of fiction purporting to be true.

As an entertaining biopic it has much going for it, as long as you don't take it as gospel. Plus marks go to the superbly clever animated opening credits, recalling the Pink Panther cartoons and giving a real flavour of the Sixties, in which the film is mostly set.

Australian Geoffrey Rush (Shine, Elizabeth) does a good job of showing you the complex make up of Sellers, his tremendous talent for disguises and ability to play different characters, contrasted with a big ego, a desire to enjoy the trappings of fame, a roving eye and an apparent disregard and lack of affection towards his children.

Emily Watson (Hilary And Jackie, Breaking The Waves) plays his long suffering first wife. Charlize Theron (Oscar winner for Monster) is Britt Exland and there are useful cameos from Miriam Margoyles, as his doting mom, Stanley Tucci as a convincing Stanley Kubrick and John Lithgow as Blake Edwards.

It's a very clever depiction of the world of celebrity into which Sellers was immersed, from beginnings in front of a live Goon Show audience to his growing fascination with Sophia Loren and later playing Inspector Clouseau for Edwards.

It gives a strong impression of Peter's genius, yet ultimately leaves you speculating over what made him such an infectious comic talent and so dislikeable a man - assuming you take this to be a rightful depiction of the truth.

Overall, you're left entertained, as well as feeling that you've watched a fairly hollow experience.