Finding Your Feet dances charmingly with two weary left feet. I’m a sucker for feel-good dramas, especially those equipped with British charm and veteran actors. Lovely uplifting films allowing you to put your feet up and enjoy a nice warm cuppa (or in my case, a glass of gin in the afternoon). Imagine being hugged by your nan. That comforting embrace. Pretty much sums up these films as of late. Problem is, the sub-genre is becoming saturated ever since ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’. Consequently, these features become tired, and this dance-a-thon really needed an afternoon nap. After discovering her husband was having an affair for five years, “Lady” Sandra decides to abandon the wealthy lifestyle she once had and moves in with her sister residing in a London council flat.
For years Sandra had lost her way, settling for superficial friends and richer tastes. She had forgotten what life was all about. Actually living. To help kickstart her optimistic perspective on life, friends and family guide her back to dancing where she can “rock around the clock” before doing the “twist again”. It’s an uplifting comedic drama that values the smaller scope on life, and that’s something we all tend to forget. Fantastically heartwarming performances from the cast, particularly Staunton, Spall and Imrie, help lift those grey thunderous clouds of adulterous divorce with a few sensible laughs along the way.
Unfortunately though, those clouds can’t stop precipitating drops of depression due to a script that is constantly wallowing in needless melodrama, juxtaposing the proposed light tone. We’re talking Alzheimer’s, stage four cancer and even an abrupt death. Cause? Imrie dancing seductively. She’s not that bad, bless her.
For a story about overcoming pessimism and taking positive leaps of faith, it certainly is surrounded by unnecessary depression. And the formulaic approach doesn’t help matters. Fortunately the charismatic, and surprisingly emotional, performances made for light onscreen chemistry that waltzed the needless melodrama to glory. Forgettable, but a pleasantly harmless two hours.
