FINDING YOUR FEET [2017 / 2018] [Blu-ray] [UK Release]
The Feel-Good Film Of The Year! Uplifting and Heart-Warming!
When ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott [Imelda Staunton] discovers that her husband of forty years is having an affair with her best friend, she seeks refuge with her estranged, older sister Bif [Celia Imrie]. The two could not be more different – ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott is a fish out of water next to her outspoken, serial dating, and free-spirited sibling. But different is just what ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott needs and she reluctantly lets Bif drag her along to her community dance class, where gradually she starts finding her feet... and romance. In this hilarious and heart-warming modern comedy, a colourful group of defiant and energetic “baby boomers” show ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott that retirement is only the beginning, and that divorce might just give her a whole new lease of life – and love.
FILM FACT: A French remake of ‘FINDING YOUR FEET’ based on the original screenplay written by Nick Moorcroft & Meg Leonard started shooting in Paris, France, on August 10th 2020. The film, entitled ‘Alors On Danse’ was directed, adapted by and stars Michèle Laroque and will be theatrically released by UGC nationwide in France on the 22nd January, 2022. The film features an all-star French cast including Thierry Lhermitte, Isabelle Nanty and Jean-Hugues Anglade.
Cast: Imelda Staunton, Celia Imrie, Timothy Spall, Joanna Lumley, David Hayman, John Sessions, Josie Lawrence, Phoebe Nicholls, Indra Ové, Marianne Oldham, Sonny Fowler, Sian Thomas, Larrington Walker, Paul Chan, Victoria Wicks, Richard Hope, Frankie Oatway, Andy Rashleigh, Alex Blake, Alfredo Pea, Cristina Avery, Kaye Brown, Peter Challis, Fred Folkes, Avril Gaynor, Dollie Henry, Heather A. Lewis, Teresa Lucas, Christopher Molloy, Jill Nalder, Kenn Oldfield, Basil Patton, Sarah Tindle, Philip Tsaras, Patricia Winker, Alison Arellano (uncredited), Rochelle De-Terville (uncredited), Samuel Gaspard (uncredited), Michael Hennessy (uncredited), Keith Milner (uncredited), Karishma Navekar (uncredited), Steve Saunders (uncredited) and Sam Shoubber (uncredited)
Director: Richard Loncraine
Producers: Andrew Berg, Bob Benton, Graham Begg,
Screenplay: Meg Leonard and Nick Moorcroft
Composer: Michael J McEvoy
Costume Design: Jill Taylor
Choreographer: Ashley Wallen Pivots
Cinematography: John Pardue, B.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Audio: English: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
English: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
English: 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio Description
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 111 minutes
Region: Region B/2
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Entertainment One / Catalyst Global Media / Eclipse Films / Powder KEG Pictures / FRED Films
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘FINDING YOUR FEET’ [2017] might be a small film, that sadly has flown under the radar, but it is a film that you should seek out. Directed by Richard Loncraine, and featuring a strong ensemble cast, and ‘FINDING YOUR FEET’ subverts the comedy-drama-romance label it is wearing in its advertising and simply presents itself as it is, a film about life.
‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott [Imelda Staunton] is a woman looking forward to spending her golden years with her husband Mike [John Sessions] after 35 years of marriage. It is at this anniversary celebration that she discovers he has had a five year relationship with Pamela (Josie Lawrence). Humiliated and lost, ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott finds her way to where her estranged sister Bif [Celia Imrie] lives.
‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott’s sister Bif is more of a free-spirit compared to the uptight, upper-class ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott. Bif, whose real name is Elizabeth, likes to soak up life. Bif is also known to protest for causes she believes in, swim in the river, ride her bicycle, and is still sexually active in her 1960’s. Bif also is known to smoke a joint with her friend Charlie Glover [Timothy Spall], or attend a Thursday dance class with Charlie Glover and Ted (David Hayman].
Bif’s best friend Charlie Glover is an antique furniture restorer and jazz lover who lives on a narrow boat in Maida Vale. Charlie Glover has an ingrained cynicism and sees the world out of necessity with a dry sense of humour. “He is a colourful character but he is quite private,” Screenwriter Meg Leonard explains.
Another character Jackie played by Joanna Lumley was a professional barrister and was very good at doing divorces,” says Joanna Lumley of her role. “She has quite a bit of money, has been married five times, so is maybe not the easiest person to live with but is very feisty and she loves belonging to this dance club.”
Alongside Bif, Charlie Glover’s other best mate is his narrow boat neighbour Ted. “Ted is an enigma, a Teddy Boy, and an ageing rocker,” says the actor. “His heyday would have been the 1950’s or the 1960’s. Ted is very lonely, having lost his wife within the last year.
‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott’s husband Mike Abbott [John Sessions] is a recently knighted police commissioner, who lives with his wife as a well-to-do member of the Surrey ‘tennis set.’ That is until ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott discovers that he has been having an affair with her best friend Bif for the last five years.
As ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott reconnects with Bif, a very tender story unfolds that captures people right where they are in their life. These are people that love life, and largely seek to live it fully. They are also people that are still carrying great baggage with them from death of loved ones, financial burdens, and more. ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott, though reeling, finds herself clashing with all of Bif’s friends as she continues to hold them in contempt of her former station in life.
Celia Imrie and Imelda Staunton have a totally natural chemistry together that makes it easier to believe that they were truly sisters. While apparently cut from different cloths, we learn that the more that they hang out together, that there is much lying dormant under the surface that binds them together, revealing that they are much more alike than we think. Their relationship grounds the entire film, and provides the best emotional moments, as well.
If the sister’s relationship is the foundation of the story, then ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott’s relationship with Charlie Glover is the catalyst to her future growth. Timothy Spall continues to hone his craft and is seems to be better every year. Taken to more characters who mumble, he uses this to great comedic effect as his take on Charlie Glover perfectly rubs ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott the wrong way. From what ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott sees on the outside, such as his meagre house boat, to an old broken down van that he drives around, to the occasional joint he is known to smoke, there is no way that Charlie Glover would have anything to offer ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott. Likewise, he doesn’t seem to see much in her as she is always crabby, issuing judgmental statements, and as her sister Bif notices, she doesn’t even have the decency to use basic manners, like thanking Charlie Glover for picking her up when she needed a ride.
‘FINDING YOUR FEET’ may follow some of the paths of the traditional romantic comedy-drama films of the past, but it embodies them in a completely different space as none of the character’s narratives feel forced or coerced by the script to end up somewhere specific. Like life, often things in the story don’t go the way one would plan….or even want. It is this idea that rings the truest about these characters, and the cast does the heavy lifting to deliver each character with empathy and understanding.
‘FINDING YOUR FEET’ has its fair share of amusing moments and some of the dialogue is filled with sly asides and quips. There’s also a great, laugh-out-loud sight gag featuring a man who gets an eyeful. Putting aside the ages of the performers, there’s nothing to differentiate with this film from many other crowd-pleasing romantic comedies and this film is very fresh and interesting.
Perhaps aware that simply telling the story of ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott and Charlie Glover’s late-life courtship might not satisfy the running time demands of this feature film of this calibre, but the filmmakers incorporate a dance competition, as a result, we get to experience a brilliant and energetic geriatric chorus line and I must say this with great affection, as the dance numbers are among the film’s most brilliant energetic sequences and really uplifts the spirits, showing the older generation have still got a lot of life left in them.
‘FINDING YOUR FEET’ is a beautiful realistic story so well played by all the wonderful British actors. And well directed and produced with excellent sound that is really well done. There are not many films about the lives of older people that you can relate to, this one is relatable. This is not one of those slick hollow predictable Hollywood films that revolve pretty much entirely around who's-sleeping-with-who. And I too, didn't have to turn the subtitles on to know what people were saying! So to me the film has a really good story with substance and loveable characters as a bonus.
I really loved the brilliant British cast, especially Imelda Staunton, Celia Imrie, Timothy Spall and the rest of the cast, who give us some wonderful brilliant acting performances and a wonderful portrayal of family and friendship. Also if anyone is going through a tough time, well this film will resonated with you and will teach you to always give “Love” a chance and always stay connected to your family, no matter what adversities you may face and you will definitely have no regrets and really live life to its fullest, as life is too short.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It made a welcome change from the seemingly unending diet of crime, murder, Scandinavian “film noir” etc. etc., which we get nowadays get to view. Also, as someone of fairly advanced age, I could actually hear what was being said. As the film is funny, moving, and beautifully acted, highly recommended for these difficult times.
All in all, ‘FINDING YOUR FEET’ really works for those who are interested primarily in a story that feels like it was assembled using a checklist or template for feel-good film. The cast is top-notch and the characters are sufficiently likable, but most of all ‘FINDING YOUR FEET’ really uplifts your spirits, but be warned there are moments in the film that at time you will have to have a box of Kleenex tissues to hand for some emotional scenes in the film.
FINDING YOUR FEET MUSIC TRACK LIST
CANON IN D (Written by Johann Pachelbel) [Performed by Michael J. McEvoy]
URBAN THUMP (Written by Johnny Daukes) [Performed by Johnny Daukes]
GOLDEN DRAGON (Written by Tom Linden) [Performed by Tom Linden]
CHANTILLY LACE (Written by The Big Bopper) [Performed by The Big Bopper]
FUZZY DUCK (Written by Johnny Daukes) [Performed by Johnny Daukes]
LEAVE YOU BEHIND (Written by Johnny Daukes) [Performed by Johnny Daukes]
THE CORKSCREW (Written by Johnny Daukes) [Performed by Johnny Daukes, Graham Sutton and Michael J. McEvoy]
WHERE DO YOU GO TO MY LOVELY (Written by Peter Sarstedt] [Performed by Johnny Daukes, Graham Sutton and Michael J. McEvoy]
I WANT TO WAKE UP WITH YOU (Written by Ben Peters) [Performed by Boris Gardiner]
TAKING A CHANCE ON LOVE (Written by Vernon Duke, Ted Fetter and John La Touche) [Performed by Benny Goodman]
LE FREAK (Written by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards) [Performed by Tom Linden, Christine Lockhart, Derek Green, Kevin Armstrong and Ashley Dublin]
RAN KAN KAN (Written by Tito Puente) [Performed by Luis Lema]
GAME ON! (Written by Johnny Daukes) [Performed by Johnny Daukes]
(We're Gonna) ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK (Written by Max Freedman and James E. Myers) [Performed by Bill Haley and the Comets]
ROCKIN’ ROBIN (Written by Leon René) [Performed by Tom Linden, Emma Hatton and Ashley Dublin]
LOVE IN THE FAMILY (Written by Johnny Daukes) [Performed by Johnny Daukes, Christine Lockhart, Stefan Frank, Kevin Armstrong and Ashley Dublin]
KENSAL SHANK (Written by Johnny Daukes) [Performed by Johnny Daukes, Ashley Dublin and Gilad Atzmon]
BREAK OUTTA SCHOOL (Written by Johnny Daukes) [Performed by Johnny Daukes]
JINGLE BELLS (Traditional) [Performed by Johnny Daukes, Christine Lockhart, Stefan Frank, Betty Daukes and Pepper Daukes]
LUCKY 13’s (Written by Jamie Joseph and Baby J) [Performed by Jamie Joseph]
Vita e per Essere Vissuta (Written by Daryl Griffith)
Tintarella Di Luna (Written by Bruno De Filippi and Franco Migliacci) [Performed by Mina]
RED DANCERS (Written by Tom Linden) [Performed by Tom Linden]
SISTERS (Written by Irving Berlin) [Performed by The Beverley Sisters]
STOMP! (Written by Louis Johnson, George Johnson, Valerie Johnson and Rod Temperton) [Performed by Tom Linden, Christine Lockhart, Derek Green and Ashley Dublin]
The Beautiful Blue Danube (Written by Johann Strauss) [Performed by Wiener Johann Strauss Orchester]
IN THE MOOD (Written by Joe Garland) [Performed by Gilad Atzmon and Band]
IT’S A GOOD LIFE (Written by Michael J. McEvoy) [Performed by Michael J. McEvoy, Henry Appleby and Paul Booth]
STONE COLD FUNK (Written by Michael J. McEvoy) [Performed by Michael J. McEvoy, Henry Appleby and Paul Booth]
RUNNING TO THE FUTURE (Written by Johnny Daukes) [Performed by Elkie Brooks]
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Blu-ray Image Quality – Entertainment One presents the film ‘FINDING YOUR FEET’ with a totally amazing crisp 1080p image and enhanced with and equally impressive 2.40:1 aspect ratio that really makes the film stand out. It’s an absolutely scrumptious transfer filled with gorgeous evocative colours that is deeply saturated but never overdone, and the contrasts has been brought to a beautiful perfection. Flesh tones look natural and are extremely appealing. There really isn’t anything negative to say about this sterling image transfer and definitely gets a five star rating from me. Please Note: Playback Region B/2: This will not play on most Blu-ray players sold in North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Learn more about Blu-ray region specifications.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Entertainment One brings us the film ‘FINDING YOUR FEET’ with two alternate audio mixes and they are 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio experiences and to be honest there is not a lot of difference. But all in all, the sound mix gives a full rich and awesome aural experience to the listener especially for a film with somewhat small intentions. Dialogue is always easily discernible and is mostly located in the centre channel speakers, so all in all, this soundtrack definitely gets a five star rating from me.
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Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: Interviews With the Cast and Crew [2017] [1080p] [1.78:1] [58:53] With this special feature we get to hear from different people involved with the film and their comments about all aspect of the making the film and especially hearing from the cast about their characters in the film, also hearing how the cast and crew all got on with each other and here are the people get to meet in this very special feature interviews: Imelda Staunton [Sandra Abbott], Timothy Spall [Charlie Glover], Celia Imrie [Bif], David Hayman [Ted], Joanna Lumley [Jackie], Richard Loncraine [Director], Andrew Berg [Producer], John Sachs [Producer], Meg Leonard & Nick Moorcroft [Screenwriters & Producers], Charlotte Walls [Producer], Jon Bunker [Production Designer], Jill Taylor [Costume Designer], Jane Soans [Location Manager] and Mark Jennings [Assistant Choreographer]. What is also excellent with this special feature interviews, and as you can see it is broken up into different headings and separated into each interview, which is as follows:
Imelda Staunton [Sandra Abbott]
Sandra Abbott’s relationship with her sister Bif [Celia Imrie].
Imelda Staunton [Sandra Abbott] on Sandra Abbott’s relationship with Charlie Glover [Timothy Spall].
Imelda Staunton [Sandra Abbott] on the ensemble cast
Imelda Staunton [Sandra Abbott] on learning to dance in the film.
Imelda Staunton [Sandra Abbott] on different styles on dance in the film.
Imelda Staunton [Sandra Abbott] on how dance transforms Sandra Abbott’s life.
Imelda Staunton [Sandra Abbott] on shooting in Rome.
Timothy Spall [Charlie Glover]
Timothy Spall [Charlie Glover] on where we first meet Sandra Abbott and Bif.
Timothy Spall [Charlie Glover] on his character.
Timothy Spall [Charlie Glover] on the importance of the dance class.
Timothy Spall [Charlie Glover] on the journey that the dance class go on.
Timothy Spall [Charlie Glover] on the rehearsal process.
Timothy Spall [Charlie Glover] on the cast.
Timothy Spall [Charlie Glover] on the different styles of dance in the film.
Timothy Spall [Charlie Glover] on his hopes for the film.
Celia Imrie [Bif]
Celia Imrie [Bif] on the relationship between Bif and Charlie Glover.
Celia Imrie [Bif] on the cast.
Celia Imrie [Bif] on Timothy Spall and Imelda Staunton.
Celia Imrie [Bif] on the popularity of dance.
Celia Imrie [Bif] on the dance rehearsals.
Celia Imrie [Bif] on Bif’s costume.
David Hayman [Ted]
David Hayman [Ted] on his character.
David Hayman [Ted] on Ted and Charlie Glover’s friendship.
David Hayman [Ted] on the relationship between Sandra Abbott and Bif.
David Hayman [Ted] on the dance rehearsals.
David Hayman [Ted] on the ensemble cast.
David Hayman [Ted] on his experience of shooting the film.
David Hayman [Ted] on director Richard Loncraine.
David Hayman [Ted] on what he hopes audiences will take from the film.
Joanna Lumley [Jackie]
Joanna Lumley [Jackie] on her character.
Joanna Lumley [Jackie] on the dance rehearsals.
Joanna Lumley [Jackie] on the variety of dance in the film.
Joanna Lumley [Jackie] on director Richard Loncraine.
Joanna Lumley [Jackie] on the power of dance.
Joanna Lumley [Jackie] on what audiences will take from the film.
Richard Loncraine [Director]
Richard Loncraine [Director] on where we find the sisters at the start of the film.
Richard Loncraine [Director] on the character Charlie Glover.
Richard Loncraine [Director] on casting the film.
Richard Loncraine [Director] on working with the cast.
Richard Loncraine [Director] on the transformation on Imelda Staunton’s character Sandra Abbbott.
Richard Loncraine [Director] on the dance class.
Richard Loncraine [Director] on what he hopes audiences will take from the film.
Andrew Berg [Producer]
Andrew Berg [Producer] on the character of Sandra Abbott when we first meet her.
Andrew Berg [Producer] on the character of Bif.
Andrew Berg [Producer] on the character of Charlie Glover.
Andrew Berg [Producer] on Sandra Abbott and Charlie Glover’s first meeting.
Andrew Berg [Producer] on casting Imelda Staunton as Sandra Abbott.
Andrew Berg [Producer] on casting Celia Imrie as Bif.
Andrew Berg [Producer] on casting Timothy Spall as Charlie Glover.
John Sachs [Producer]
John Sachs [Producer] on how sisters Sandra Abbott and Bif get thrown back together.
John Sachs [Producer] on Imelda Staunton on Sandra Abbott.
John Sachs [Producer] on the character of Charlie Glover.
John Sachs [Producer] on Sandra Abbott and Charlie Glover’s first meeting.
John Sachs [Producer] on the atmosphere in the dance group.
John Sachs [Producer] on the hopes for the film.
Meg Leonard & Nick Moorcroft [Screenwriters & Producers]
Meg Leonard & Nick Moorcroft [Screenwriters & Producers] on where we find Sandra Abbott at the start of the film.
Meg Leonard & Nick Moorcroft [Screenwriters & Producers] on the difference between Sandra Abbott and Bif.
Meg Leonard & Nick Moorcroft [Screenwriters & Producers] on the initial dynamic between the sisters.
Meg Leonard & Nick Moorcroft [Screenwriters & Producers] on the character of Charlie Glover.
Meg Leonard & Nick Moorcroft [Screenwriters & Producers] on the dynamic between Sandra Abbott and Charlie Glover.
Meg Leonard & Nick Moorcroft [Screenwriters & Producers] on the cast.
Meg Leonard & Nick Moorcroft [Screenwriters & Producers] on seeing that dance scenes being brought life.
Meg Leonard & Nick Moorcroft [Screenwriters & Producers] on what they hope audiences will take from the film.
Charlotte Walls [Producer]
Charlotte Walls [Producer] on what attracted her to the project.
Charlotte Walls [Producer] on where we find Sandra Abbott at the start of the film.
Charlotte Walls [Producer] on the connection between Charlie Glover and Sandra Abbott.
Charlotte Walls [Producer] on the script.
Charlotte Walls [Producer] on director Richard Loncraine.
Charlotte Walls [Producer] on the universal appeal of the story.
Jon Bunker [Production Designer]
Jon Bunker [Production Designer] on finding a location for the rehearsal room.
Jon Bunker [Production Designer] on filming on location at Highgate Ponds.
Jon Bunker [Production Designer] on filming on the canal at Little Venice.
Jill Taylor [Costume Designer]
Jill Taylor [Production Designer] on Sandra Abbott’s costumes.
Jill Taylor [Production Designer] on Bif’s costumes.
Jill Taylor [Production Designer] on Charlie Glover’s costumes.
Jill Taylor [Production Designer] on the costumes for the Rome dance.
Jill Taylor [Production Designer] on what she hopes audiences will take from the film.
Jane Soans [Location Manager]
Jane Soans [Location Manager] on the three locations in the film.
Jane Soans [Location Manager] on filming dance classes in The Round Chapel.
Jane Soans [Location Manager] on filming in Hackney Empire theatre.
Jane Soans [Location Manager] on the Piccadilly Circus flash mob location.
Mark Jennings [Assistant Choreographer]
Mark Jennings [Assistant Choreographer] on the cast’s dance journey.
Mark Jennings [Assistant Choreographer] on the dancers in the company.
Mark Jennings [Assistant Choreographer] on the atmosphere on set.
Mark Jennings [Assistant Choreographer] on how the cast approached the dancing.
Mark Jennings [Assistant Choreographer] on the Rome dance festival routine.
Mark Jennings [Assistant Choreographer] on the variety of dance in the film.
All in all, this a totally brilliant special feature interviews and to find out what each person talks about, then you will have to watch this very special feature and is a definite fascinating must watch and as usual, you can either play each interview separately or Play All.
Trailers: Here we get to view four different kinds of trailers and they are as follows: ‘The Children Act’ [2017] [1080p] [1.85:1] [2:19]; ‘The House with a Clock in its Walls’ [2018] [1080p] [2.40:1] [2:02]; ‘Funny Cow’ [2018] [1080p] [2.40:1] [2:14] and Galaxy Chocolate Advert [2018] [1080p] [2.40:1] [0:30].
Finally, ‘FINDING YOUR FEET’ works well as a metaphor to how we deal with life when it hits us hard and we get knocked down. It also works to serve the movie’s focus on the dance class they attend as a means of helping one rediscover the basic joys of life, so that we can open ourselves back up to the possibilities life offered us when we were young. This is a film that will connect with any audience, and should be found and enjoyed. Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
