Northern Soul (2014) User Reviews

It captured the era but this felt like a film more about drugs than it did Soul...

[azanti0029 · 6/10 · 2 January 2015]

John Clark lives in the working class North West of the 1970s. Just as he is feeling disillusioned with school and falling out with his parents he is caught up in the new music vibe of Soul imported vinyl from America, soon him and his friend Matt are starting their own music night, swinging hip moves on the dance floor and embracing the new Northern Soul scene but drugs seem to play a major part of it all too, will that take over from the music?

Having seen the trailer for this movie, I was quite excited. I grew up in the 1970s and remember everything about the era and was hoping this might be similar to Good Vibrations which covered the rise and fall of a record label of the same era.

What I got was a realistic depiction of working class Northern England, with new music giving young people an outlet away from their dull lives which was great but then quickly became a story about drugs dominating the scene and their lives. Though I was a kid at the time my older friends who were on that scene never embraced the drug aspect of it which seemed to me far less dominant than as portrayed in the movie. The production design and depiction of the old school dance halls of the North are spot on and the acting all round by an energetic cast very worthy indeed with special mention going to newcomer Josh Whitehouse whom I am sure has a successful career ahead of him. Antonia Thomas is also very believable giving another effortless performance.

Where the film disappointed was in the drugs subplot which almost anchored the whole film. It began to fell more a film about drugs, drug taking and the extreme characters within that world rather than a film about the period, the halls, the Soul and the music. This wouldn't be such a bad thing but certainly from the PR for the film I was not expecting the 1970s version of Human Traffic. The film also felt as if it needed more humour - but these gripes aside, this is still an extremely well made and well acted piece which I am sure will gain a cult following over time.

If 1970s Northern Soul was your thing, then you really do need to check it out.

Keeping the Faith...

[Keepthefaith01 · 7/10 · 19 October 2014]

This was a long time coming and rumours that it was going straight to DVD point to the level of expectations by the industry and producers. Thankfully the film largely delivers .. and the Soul fraternity pushed the distribution industry into showing it . it certainly portrays the sense of excitement and adrenalin that came with the scene. Sadly by the time the lead characters get to Wigan they become emersed in a drug fuel binge and feuds and rather dark , rather than celebrating the joys of embracing such a powerful force . The female characters are sadly rather superficial but there is no denying the quality of the new young acting talent. As a committed Soulie for over 20 years I loved it .. but Im biased. I so much wanted the general public to embrace this film in the way they did with ... say The Commitments , sadly Im not sure they will. There will always be arguments about the sound track..personally I would have liked a touch more diversity and some Jackie Wilson,Major Lance ,.Congratulations Elaine on getting more recognition for one of the few truly grass roots led music scenes often overlooked in this country.

Before house music, there was northern soul

[Red-Barracuda · 7/10 · 28 October 2014]

Before the emergence of the house and rave music scenes in the late 80's, there was Northern Soul. This phenomenon happened in the north of England where several clubs emerged where DJs played obscure American soul records. It may not sound like much now but I am guessing it meant a lot back in the mid 70's, particularly when you take into account the state of music in Britain at the time. Watch re-runs of Top of the Pops if you need proof that popular music in the UK was pretty dire on the whole at the time. These northern soul clubs offered up something energetic and joyous. From the perspective of today when everybody can get access to any music at the click of a button, it's amazing to think that some of the songs back in the day only existed on one solitary record owned by one DJ; so if you wanted to hear it, you had to go to see his set. The competition between DJs became intense but sadly such a retro scene was always going to have a finite existence because eventually there were no more obscure soul records left to find. Its details like these that I find most interesting about the northern soul movement, a music scene I am too young to remember.

The film itself is strongest in its early stages when it focuses on the music scene more. It's such a specific phenomenon, it's fascinating in itself. Unfortunately, it does lose steam a bit in the second half as it concentrates more on the inevitable dramatic down-side that the narrative in these types of films seem to demand. In truth it's not entirely unreasonable to broach the subject of drug abuse as by all accounts a few northern soul fans died as a result of this and the scene was fuelled to a large extent by narcotics just as the dance music scene of the last twenty-five years has also. It additionally portrays 70's Britain as a beige hell, with fashions, haircuts and décor all of a remarkably appalling standard; in fact everything seems to lack any joy at all, aside from the music itself. But there is much humour in the script to alleviate the grim state of affairs somewhat and the young cast do good work alongside a selection of well-knowns including James Lance, Ricky Tomlinson, John Thomson, Lisa Stansfield and Steve Coogan. All-in-all, Northern Soul has a fairly generic story-line but it is made more interesting on account of the interesting scene it is based around.

Northern Soul is a soundtrack searching for a plot and some real character

[nicktaylor-954-589017 · 7/10 · 29 December 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.

Constantine's Calling Card

[awardknott-874-860243 · 6/10 · 1 November 2014]

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.

More a film about the music and dance than about the characters

[the-gog-2 · 7/10 · 17 October 2014]

Firstly, it's helpful to have watched the recent BBC4 documentary about Northern Soul. It's obvious to see that the film's director - who appeared in the documentary - made the film to bring the story of Northern Soul to the big screen. As such, the music, the style, the dance halls, and the dancing are the prime focus of the film, with the fictional drama and characters being of a secondary concern, and it feels they only exist on which to present the phenomenon of Northern Soul, least of all the drugs use which accompanied it.

It's a pity that not the same amount of effort was put towards the drama aspect of the film as was put towards the music, the fashions, and the dancing, as it would then have felt a more cohesive whole, but it's churlish to pick such faults in what is otherwise an most enjoyable film. Naturally, the added bonus is the soul music, even though its brilliance does tend to outshine other aspects of the film. The local indie cinema in which I watched it this pm (October 17th) was fully booked for the entire week that they're showing this film, which goes to show it's been highly anticipated. Recommended.

the dancing is fun

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 24 January 2017]

It's 1974 Lancashire in northern England. John is a meek student bullied at school. Mr. Banks (Steve Coogan) is his teacher. His parents force him to attend the youth club where outgoing DJ Matt is dancing to northern soul. When the school bully attacks, John joins Matt to stand up against him. The two fast-friends rebel against the small town ways and lose themselves to DJ for a growing audience. John falls hard for black nurse Angela.

The two guys are not the most engaging. I think the characters are suppose to be 18. One guy looks like he's trying to be younger while the other isn't even trying. There is a danger of too young that is missing from these guys. The drama isn't really here and the plot is pretty thin. There is subplot of drugs that isn't that appealing. There is still some fun. I love the music and the flare pants. I love that the dance hall audiences struggling to figure out Matt's wild dancing. I applaud the commitment. It's not as much fun as one wants in a movie of this nature.

Bloody brilliant

[iamchrisallan · 9/10 · 20 October 2014]

So I saw Northern Soul the film tonight for the 2nd time. The first time I saw it was at the premier and it wasn't in a proper cinema and the sound was so bad that you couldn't pick out the dialogue.

I am so glad I went back. I realise that I am biased but it's a bloody good film. I happen to have been lucky enough to be an extra in the dance scenes and have waited 2 years to see this film make it to the big screen. Many times along the way I thought it would never come.

Elaine Constantine, the director, captures 2 things really well: the 70s and the passion for northern soul.

She paints a great picture of growing up working class in the 70s and doesn't give in to the more comedic ideas of 70s fashion. This is all very real and there's not one Chopper or Space Hopper in sight.

The film is dark and gritty but the soundtrack is amazing and her dancers are spot on. Elaine's experience as a photographer is very evident throughout as is her passion for the subject matter.

She brilliantly captures the look on a dancer's face when they are lost in the music, when it's just you, the music and the dance floor.

There are several cameos in the film and all are played down and the young leads really shine. All the cast do a superb job. I love the fact that James Lance is a great soul dancer and he picked up the moves to better understand his role but you never see him dance in the film. You can feel that love, that dedication throughout from all involved. This was a labour of love and it worked.

Although the film sinks into a very dark place she really lifts it with the final scenes.

A great British picture and I was proud to be allowed to be part of it.

A wasted opportunity

[stwmby · 7/10 · 18 January 2021]

I guess that they couldn't just make a two hour film of people dancing and hunting down rare grooves; any more than they couldn't have just made a two hour film about a boat sinking.

They had to construct a story around the basic premise. Unfortunately, as with Titanic, they ballsed it up.

It's still an entertaining watch, if a little one dimensional. However it does seem a little like a 21st century quadrophenia, without the oomph.

And the focus on the drug culture gradually overtakes the music to a point where the music becomes simply the soundtrack, and not the focus. And the whole point of northern soul is the music isn't it?

Ironically, given the subject matter, I agree with another reviewer on here - the sound quality is abysmal.

Northern soul was about working class kids using American soul music to lift them, albeit temporarily, out of their humdrum lives. This film is a dark and violent depiction of what happens when drugs take control.

Where we should have had the euphoria, the celebration of youth, and the joy of music, instead we have violence, lost friendship, hopelessness, squalor, and finally heroin

In the right hands this could've been so much better

Disappointed

[mylambretta · 5/10 · 30 October 2014]

I was really looking forward to seeing this film. I am and always have been a Soul music lover and Northern Soul fanatic. I was hoping to see how the Northern Soul culture developed alongside the pop scene in the 1970's. The beginning certainly started like this and reminded me of my youth club days. It showed how the music and scene became infectious and more and more people wanted to be involved. Unfortunately, for me, it went downhill very quickly. It is basically a film about the drug scene, with a Northern Soul theme running in the background. I went to Wigan several times and many other all nighters. I accept that some people did take drugs but in my opinion it was nothing like what was portrayed in the film. Having said that, the music and dancing scenes were terrific, although there are some of my favourite songs on the released CD set that were not in the film. At the end of the day it is a fictional film, based on facts from individuals from the time and if it was a film purely based upon the music and culture, then I suppose it would not have a very wide audience. Well done Elaine and thank you for allowing me to fondly reminisce about the wonderful memories of my younger days.

Superb tale & music that will take you back there...

[Backyardbitesuk · 10/10 · 21 October 2014]

Fantastic... Haven't smiled from beginning to an end of a movie like that in years... This is actually my old man's era and mine followed over a decade later with the warehouse parties and our version of all nighters I suppose. But he went to those clubs back including Twisted Wheel and Wigan Casino... You have to see the attention to detail and the amazing soundtrack captures you. I can't wait to watch it together with Pop's. I went to the premiere and onto the 100 Club for the after party and then (believe it or not) dusted off my dancing shoes and no doubt made a fool of myself... But loved every minute of it no matter how daft I may have looked ha ha

England in the 70s

[DisinterestedWisdom · 7/10 · 3 April 2015]

I've often reflected that English film making hasn't done enough to explore the English experience (compared for example to American reflexiveness in film which has been ongoing part of US cinema since the start), so I find films which look at England's cultural and social experiences with a little bit of favorable bias, and find in this film, about a phenomena probably little known outside of the UK something quite welcoming. Northern Soul, for anyone unfamiliar was a dance/party movement based on obscure American soul music which appeared in Manchester (among other places) in the late 1960s and who's preference, unlike the tastes of the capitol, tended towards lesser known soul music, often of a more up-tempo character. Wikipedia reports that the relative rarity of these soul sounds(as opposed to mainstream, commercially viable Motown sound) made for an environment where a single DJ might have the only pressing of a certain track. The best songs were naturally coveted and DJs might even travel to the US in search of new songs to bring to the dance floor. An entire subculture of music, dance and fashion emerge out of this milieu. That said, this film isn't a documentary and doesn't pretend to be. The story follows the friendship of two disaffected youth as they emerge deeper into and discover themselves through a nascent musical culture. For one of them it's a path of self-destruction and for the other self awakening. Gritty in its realism, Northern Soul embraces a darker side of English working-class society and views the movement, perhaps not unfairly as a respite from the malaise of urban-industrial England in the 1970s. That it occasionally overplays the meme is an evident enough fault and puts the main characters into transformations of identity that aren't always fully convincing (Steve Coogan plays a particularly loathsome secondary school teacher well, if not to slight excess). Matt, one of the film's protagonists transforms rather quickly from enthusiastic teen to angry firebrand in a not entirely nuanced way. We see this again in the ending who's glib tidiness is slightly out of tune with the film as a whole. The presence of drugs as antidote to social malaise comes as no surprise, and inevitably there is tragedy. Northern Soul does at times play that hand also a bit strongly, even as the music recedes into a background role to the more sobering realities in the front. The devolution from euphoria to dystopia where drugs become involved is not a new idea in cinema (or elsewhere) and it's truth is no less evident here. Still, the film is convincingly realized with terrific performances and tight, thematically consistent cinematography that never releases the viewer from a sense that the the straitjacket has yet to be loosed - something that music alone is incapable of doing. The music, the dance and the sheer expressiveness of the club scene provide balance and give the viewer a glimpse into the scene, a kind of English Saturday Night Fever. Enjoyable but not without faults, this is a great look at a time and place and tells a story that needs to be told.

Disappointing, Bad Story & Poor Sound

[user-95888 · 2/10 · 2 January 2019]

Saw this on TV Jan 2019 & felt it deserved a more Honest Review. It sets the scene for 1973 rather poorly, it's just not very Authentic & Big Names like Ricky T & Steve C add confusion. The Tattoos in 1973 are totally wrong, decades too early it looks like a bad 1990s film. The Music itself is pretty good, some tracks that were Not Around in 1973 like the Unissued Marvin Gaye & The Originals are sore points. The feeble looking record props with photocopied labels looks a bit amateur. Lou Pride wasn't bootlegged until 1975 yet another wrong 'un. To stay with it but it just ends up as a Druggie & Violent Film, it lacks the charm of another recent NS film that was nicely done. The Music sounds Awful on the film, they mix it so badly trying to make out it's a DJ's 1970s Sound but it's way wrong & also they only play tiny bits of tracks like The Tomangoes early on. Unintelligent Product sort of Film, not nice, not authentic & not memorable. The fact they play more of Pop tracks is a bit insulting too. One to Avoid if you want Authenticity, if you want to hear mindless swearing every few seonds you'll love it. I didn't.

Good, but with defects

[pawebster · 7/10 · 18 May 2018]

One of the best things about this film is that it perfectly captures the "style" and the feel of (part of the) life in the north of England. It has its defects, though. Others have noted the perhaps overdone emphasis on drugs. It all gets a bit too highly coloured for the sake of drama. The film needed more of the positive sides of the culture: the music and the dancing. The main defect, though, is that the main character, John, is a bit dull, played by an actor who is about ten years too old for the part - and often looks every minute of it - and whose accent is not 100% convincing. His mate, Matt, is much better.

A good homage to an incredible time for music in Northern England

[cotta002-318-865119 · 7/10 · 13 May 2020]

Having lived and danced through the Northern Soul years in North West England I was excited to watch this movie. The music score is fantastic and does not rely on only floor stompers but also some less known gems.

The youth club scene was very accurate, I remember them well bringing my own records for the DJ to play.

Acting is good and characters believable, I would have liked to have seen Steve Coogan in a more prominent role but other than that well cast.

Storyline touches on the drug scene but only criticism would be that would have been better to have a serial user than a dealer as many kids into northern soul took speed and didn't drink alcohol in order to dance all night.

If you have never heard of Northern Soul watch this movie and hopefully you will discover the great music. If you are a northern soul veteran then watch this and bathe in nostalgia.

Northern Soul has soul

[your_friendly_reviewer · 7/10 · 4 January 2015]

Any attempt to make a film about a cultural movement is challenging especially if it centers around a few characters because there could be a vast number of experiences/perspectives on the matter but not enough time to cover it all however Northern Soul does try to please everyone. The first half is more about discovery of soul music and how it can give people (all races) meaning in life, sense of community, or an addiction which music is capable of doing. The montage of record hunting, practicing routines and comradery was pleasant to watch. The second half is more or less about suffering and the existence of drugs in the scene so the film takes a more personal tone since the characters are the focal point.

If you're generally interested in music, culture or the 70's Northern Soul might be worth a watch.

Very good, but lots of left plot holes

[jacksongreg1 · 7/10 · 6 September 2020]

Close! So close! But a few differing plot holes that leave inconsistencies

Love can mean anything

[paultreloar75 · 8/10 · 19 October 2014]

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.

plot weak

[antiflakflak · 5/10 · 24 February 2017]

Topic was a good excuse to make a movie. It is a very interesting time in the British music world. The plot seems choppy with the characters fighting, swearing and drugging their brains out, I guess it portrays British working society as very gritty, dingy, and inspirationally bleak. They need to be lifted up and find a refuge in the obscure soul music from America. The movie doesn't flow well, maybe due to all the violence the characters are caught up in. Dialog, plot all of it weak, but captures the essence of the era in the look and feel quite well and the characterization of working class youth going nowhere. There was an amazing radio show on CITR at one time called "Shake a Tailfeather" that played all of this northern soul, but it seemed to have come to an end, don't know what happened to the DJ or show. Anyways it is a movie tackling an obscure time in music history, worth watching.

Wonderfully Crafted Film

[michaelraybone · 10/10 · 18 October 2014]

The film was a wonderful insight into 1970's working class Britain. Cameo roles from some great British Actors. Ricky Tomlinson, John Thomson, Lisa Stanfield and Alan Partridge himself ( :-) )combined with the vibrancy of the Northern Soul Scene and a great sound track made for a great nights entertainment.... The care taken to get the sense of futility being a teenager in 1970's represented and the hope Northern Soul represented - in this case a trip to the USA and a future was sublime. Also a clever twist on boy meets girl boy loses girl and boy wins girl back meant the plot held its own extremely well.... They were dancing in the aisles during the credits on the way out and a group of teenagers were being taught some moves in the centre of Bristol too by a few oldies who 'were there'....great fun

Falls short of it's potential

[chrishancox714 · 4/10 · 28 October 2014]

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.

Gritty Drama about the great sound of Northern Soul.

[aqwn77 · 10/10 · 27 October 2014]

Great British drama at its best. Excellent Script and acting from the young unheard of cast. Music in the film,brilliant. This film has been in the making for a very long time and its a shame it didn't get the overall support from the film industry that it deserves. Watched it on DVD over the weekend and will be watching it again. I am into the Northern Soul scene anyway so know quite a few of the classic songs on the soundtrack. Gritty film..get it and get lost in the world of Northern Soul in its heyday. Go out and by on DVD and get some lino out and talc and get dancing to this cracking film. Excellent. Gritty Drama about the great sound of Northern Soul.

Average film, amazing music

[BigJimNoFool · 5/10 · 2 May 2020]

Not enough around the music and too much around the fighting and the drugs which made the film largely messy and all over the place tonally.

No real character developments or dynamics made the drama also fall flat. Could have been great but ended up very average.

Great Music Movie

[tobyhubner · 10/10 · 9 September 2015]

I hadn't even heard of the Northern Soul movement until I made We Are Kings with Rita Graham, who is one of their stars and a former Raelette. Then someone showed me clips of the Northern Soul girl dancing in the streets to the soul music, and of course I became a convert. What a great terrain for movie-making...the best soul songs, the classics, that I grew up with (yes I am from THAT generation). We had a guy in our class in prep school in 1969 that lived in Detroit and he started showing up with Motown records after Christmas vacation...our minds were blown that there was this alternative to the Beatles and the Doors and the Jefferson Airplane, and all new dance moves. So Northern Soul really gets it and I loved the story and the filmmaking was spot on. Highly recommended!

Stubborn Hearted Viewer!

[Fortful · 5/10 · 10 November 2014]

I like films, I particularly like British Films, I especially like British Films about British Culture. I Like and have for many years actively enjoyed Northern Soul.

For the last decade or so I have had to rely on the likes of Shane Meadows to successfully weave story lines out of developed British working class characters against a backdrop of fashion, music, humour and drama. Before that; Quadraphenia had a visceral physical affect on my motivation for style, fashion, music & tribalism. The very next day it changed my behaviour, it was a youth culture catalyst that I have been grateful for ever since, it has subsequently provided me with happy reminisces. I am not sure that could ever happen again for todays Teens, too much to compete with, not to mention homogeneous western culture...hard to break away when 300Million Superdry'ers are all wearing the same labels!

Anyway, Mr Kermode gives 'Northern Soul' the perfect review by comparing it to "Good Vibrations". I love that film, fascinating story, gritty setting, incredibly strong, charismatic and superbly acted central characters. Great film.

Now I'm keen, I'm very keen, I heard enough, I've read enough, even the trailer looks promising. I'm feeling nostalgic and charitable all in one. I may even clap at the appropriate Duke Browner breaks irrespective of potential disapproving glances of my Superdry neighbours...I'll be in the moment!

Well, I didn't clap to Duke Browner, or the Exsavyons. I didn't laugh inwards, or smile outwards. The main characters were recognisably mundane or unrecognisably over the top and the plot unfolded predictably. I will say though it is a very well produced film and it definitely had its 'ring-a-bell' moments. The Casino scenes were particularly authentic, but not enough of them for me.

Should you buy a ticket (or DVD) or should you buy a Superdry jacket? Well, where 'Good Vibrations' would keep you warm for many years to come, do go and see Northern Soul but maybe take a jumper!