Review by John Delia, Sr.
One of the most memorable films you’ll see this year, Finding Your Feet turns romance upside down and sideways. Targeted for couples and ladies the film not only entertains, but inspires those who have searched for love and had to get sidetracked to find it. Ladies, bring three Kleenex; one for the sad parts, one for the joyful scenes and one for the inspiring ending that will lead you to evaluating your own woes.
It’s a joyous day for Lord Michael Abbot (John Sessions) who is retiring and his wife Lady Sandra Abbott (Imelda Staunton). He has thrown himself a wonderful party that is jam packed with notables and family. On this occasion however, Sandra happens by the back storage shed to find Michael in the arms of her best friend Pamela (Josie Lawrence). Michael tries to squirm out of it, but admits it has been going on for the last 5 years and that’s the way life goes sometimes.
Too proud to accept his answer, she decides to visit her estranged sister Bif (Celia Imrie) who has been living a much lesser life in the lower sections of a nearby city. Jackie reluctantly takes her in and introduces her to the life she has been living, one she is surprised to hear has made her happy. When she introduces her to friends Ted (David Hayman) and Charlie (Timothy Spall) an old spark Sandra had when she was a child starts to rekindle.
The film moves into several situations, some comical and others critical, until the movie finally reaches a point that inspires. I especially liked the dancing scenes that are brilliant and uplifting. Director Richard Loncraine (My One and Only, Wimbledon) moves his film along at a very nice pace setting up each circumstance that Sandra finds herself and how she deals with each. At a lower station with her sister, she has to swallow her pride, but finds a hard time dealing with that setting up a very funny thirty minutes of life changing attitude. I really suggest you see this film to find out the rest, as delight awaits those who enjoy a good romance.
In the lead role, Imelda Staunton creates a very disgruntled sister who has to “lower†her station in life when she splits from Lord Abbot. As Sandra, who has lived the high life providing parties for her husband’s political life and hob knobbing with the British upper crust, it’s a lowly thing she has to do running to her sister’s humble quarters. She resents what has happened to her and her future looks bleak. You should recognize Staunton from the many roles she has played in films like Maleficent and Vera Drake for which she was nominated for an Oscar.
It is a delight to see Celia Imrie in the film as Sandra’s estranged sister Bif. Imrie does a terrific job of showing her character as the forgiving recluse who took her own path in life while Sandra wormed her way into the upper crust of British Society. Her road has been hit and miss with carefree love and romance and she has established real friends enjoying what life has given her. She’s been a mainstay in British film with 156 credits to her name including the character Victoria Watkins in A Cure for Wellness and Madge Hardcastle in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Sharing the screen as a romantic integer in the scheme of things, Timothy Spall plays Charlie. He’s a man who has been given a hard case tending his wife with years of Alzheimer’s. But Charlie makes time to join in with the locals befriending Bif as a regular member of pub and dance groups. When he meets Sandra, he finds it hard to break through her shell. Spall has played JMW Turner in the Oscar nominated Mr. Turner. Or if you are a fan of Harry Potter, Spall played his character Peter “Wormtail†Pettigrew in all seven of the films based on J.K. Rawlings novels.
Finding Your Feet has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for suggestive material, brief drug use, and brief strong language. Take your best friends or significant other to see the film and you’ll be talking about it way after the credits roll.
FINAL ANALYSIS: I really like this film that has excellent acting and a cast with excellent chemistry. (4 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information
Cast: Imelda Staunton, Timothy Spall, Celia Imrie, David Hayman, John Sessions, Joanna Lumley, Josie Lawrence
Directed by: Richard Loncraine
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for suggestive material, brief drug use, and brief strong language
Running Time: 1 Hr. 51 Min.
Release Date: April 6, 2018
Distributed by: Roadside Attractions