4/14/18

Finding Your Feet

Another Movie for Grownups. And as a grownup, I can relate. The issues here are universal, but resonate particularly with "People of a certain age."

Our snobbish heroine is on top of the world. After a sterling career, her law-enforcement husband is being knighted, so she is now Lady Abbott. The celebration festivities are barely under way when she leaves her guests to retrieve something and interrupts her husband in mid-embrace. Humiliated, she flees to live with her unconventional sister in public housing. Now things get interesting.

Director Richard Loncraine ("5 Flights Up"), working from a PG-13 script by Meg Leonard and Nick Moorcroft ("Urban Hymn") brings us a satisfying tale with a top-flight (courageous) cast which can hold up under many revealing closeups.

Part of Loncraine's cast:
  • Imelda Staunton ("Cranford" and "Harry Potter") Sandra had plans for her golden years but evidently she married a tosser who had definite ideas of what was proper behavior for his wife. She is a basket case.
  • Celia Imrie ("The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel") Bif lives a marginal but happy life. She sniffs the cream to be sure it hasn't spoiled before she serves it and regularly goes to a seniors' dance class on Thursdays. She tells her sister Sandra, "Get off your high horse!"
  • Timothy Spall ("Mr. Turner") Charlie has his own drama to confront but he goes to the dance class to be supportive of his unhappy friend Ted.
  • David Hayman ("Viceroy's House") Ted still isn't over his divorce. He lives on a canal in his boat which is moored next to Charlie's.
  • Joanna Lumley ("Me Before You") Jackie has had numerous husbands, so she is the resident expert on divorce settlements. She dispenses advice at the Thursday dance class.
As a lark the seniors dance class organizes a Flash Mob which is picked up by the news. This prompts an invitation to a Dance Festival in Rome, all expenses paid. What a hoot!

You can expect lavish alcohol, occasional marijuana, silly hi-jinks, excellent acting, and a recognizable song list that includes: Rockin' Robin, Chantilly Lace, Rock Around the Clock, and Tequila, among many other familiar oldies. By the way, I saw this with a closed caption device so none of the accents would frustrate me.
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Check out this trailer:
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