Northern Soul (2014)

I am from just outside Wigan, home of the famous casino and up here in the north of England, soul music can be heard in the influences that led to Madchester and many other genres. The soundtrack of this film is second to none and when it concentrates on the music and music's role in society it is never better. The sets and attention to historical detail really do come across and transport you to an era that is so different from today. But then comes the plot, characters and some real dodgy acting. Its hard to invest in these characters as they are parodies of the north almost played to emphasise the stereotype. The problem here is I don't see characters that I can believe in but actors trying to act. Its all a bit 'amateur dramatics' and doesn't work. Its perhaps almost Coronation Street in its approach and recreates the sort of acting often seen in soap operas. You can also feel Steve Coogan and Henry Normal and their Baby Cow productions reaching for another 24 hour party people but falling short. Coogan has many of his family in the show and some of the cast feels a bit like friends and family. The level of violence and drug use is over played and this film is never going to be a classic - it is dedicated to someone's life who had this as a project and a very good project it is as well but one can't help think the cast and acting and a thin plot lets it down.

Like her contemporaries, Anton Corbijn (Control) and Sam Taylor-Johnson (Nowhere Boy), Constantine has moved effortlessly from photography to film making, and like those directors has chosen to create a story around a moment in the British pop music scene. Constantine however has created a traditional story of friendship focusing on musical obsession, and the darker side of of a scene that has now become legendary.What makes this movie different from the work of the other directors is its obsessive attention to detail. Just read the credits at the end to see how much work was out into creating the authentic feel of the northern soul scene and its music and fashion. Shoes and clothes sourced from original manufacturers, dance teachers and dance sponsors. The cinematography reflects the grimness of 1970s England, post power cuts and pre- punk. The acting is top notch and to be fair the cameos from the likes of Coogan and Tomlinson are a bit of a distraction. The narrative flow is a bit uneven and characters sometimes having little or no backstory, and the predictability of the story arc is somewhat uninspiring. However, this is definitely one of the best British films of recent years. A fun if rather safe British drama, it entertains and I left the cinema with a smile on my face and a few dance moves in my head.

I think we all thought that this would be the film that was better than 'Soul Boy', and it is - but only just. Great beginning, which sets the scene, and shows how Northern Soul became infectious. However it focuses too much on drugs and violence. Perhaps that was the experience of Casino regulars, but the enduring aspects of the scene is a sort of unwritten code which makes violence a big 'no no', and lots of enjoyment of music and amongst NS followers, who recognize one-another as kindred spirits. Even in the 1970s the done thing was to shake hands and give your mates a hug, while a few miles away at a pub disco they brawled on the car park. The film didn't develop the cultural difference that the start of the film began to describe. Pity. Keep the faith.

This is a movie to immerse yourself in, to lose yourself in, to get into the groove of. It's tremendous in the way that you plunge headlong into some sweaty dj-dysfunction, and the perils of the needle, whilst laughing almost all the way. The main protagonist develops quite a set of pecs over the duration, we all said we felt like dancing afterwards, this is an energetic film.But it's carefully shot, wonderfully acted, beautifully sounding, reportage of the scene and all the better for it, with some quite superb performances as a result. You will have the time of your life. Enjoy.