2436. Finding Your Feet (2017)

Starring: Imelda Staunton, Timothy Spall, Celia Imrie

Director: Richard Loncraine

Running Time: 111 mins

Finding Your Feet is a British film about a wealthy woman who, after discovering her husband of 35 years is having an affair, leaves for her sister’s house, where she discovers another way to live her life to the full.

This film is pretty much as basic and easy-going as things get, but I defy anyone not to break a smile at Finding Your Feet, because for its formulaic predictability, it’s a film with great energy, featuring strong comedy, a fun story that also mixes in some strong dramatic heart too, and a collection of thoroughly enjoyable performances from a wide range of hugely talented acting legends.

So, let’s start off with the story, which is by far the film’s most predictable element, but also arguably its sweetest. You know the score, a group of old people find a new meaning to life with some non-sequiteur activity in their retirement, and although that premise is limited to only one character here, a woman from the nobility who finds herself crashing back down to earth, it’s pretty much the same as what you’ve seen that before.

Couple that with some equally predictable and often disappointingly sappy romance, and you’ve got a film that sticks very closely to long-established beats from beginning to end, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have anything to offer.

While it’s all pretty predictable, Finding Your Feet is still a thoroughly enjoyable watch mostly thanks to its strong and genuine heart, which takes a generic story and gives it a degree of depth, all the while retaining the easy-going likability that has made this formula so popular.

So, along with the story of a group of old friends and their dancing club, the film delves into some impressively weighty subjects, particularly caregiving and the onset of aging at a post-retirement age, as well as embracing one’s family, regardless of the inevitable differences from person to person.

Again, it sounds a little cheesy, but the film is so genuine and happy in its intentions, that it’s impossible to find yourself smiling throughout, and that’s ultimately what makes Finding Your Feet such an enjoyable movie.

On top of that, there’s also some decent comedy that makes for the odd laugh here and there – although nothing quite gut-bustingly hilarious – and of course a group of thoroughly delightful performances from a fantastic ensemble cast.

Imelda Staunton, Timothy Spall and Celia Imrie are all brilliant as the lead trio, with fantastic chemistry that makes their ever-changing relationship with one another all the more convincing and entertaining, all the while working just as well when the film doubles down on some of its more dramatic themes. Their characters may not have all that much novel depth to offer, but with such talented leads and such delightful turns, it just adds another side of likability to the movie.

Overall, I had a lovely time with Finding Your Feet. It’s nothing you’ve never seen before, and certainly doesn’t get any points for originality, but it’s a very genuine, heartfelt, energetic and thoroughly enjoyable watch from beginning to end, and that’s why I’m giving it a 7.5.