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Bookmark this pageSoulBoy (2010)
Director: Shimmy Marcus
Movie review
From Time Out London
Northern England, the late ’70s: kids are hoovering up speed and dancing all night to obscure US soul 45s – thus a legend is born. It’s no surprise to see the Northern Soul scene as a movie but this debut feature’s inspiration stops there. It’s a familiar story of a shambling young lad (Martin Compston) who comes alive at the Wigan Casino – but can he choose between the heartless blonde vixen (Nicola Burley) whose boyfriend is the dancefloor alpha male and the cheery girl next door (Felicity Jones) who teaches him the steps? It’s all dismayingly formulaic and, although the period details are endearing, the film – like Compston’s footwork – is too effortful to sweep us along. Director Shimmy Marcus integrates priceless archive footage and a suitably groovy soundtrack but it’s not enough to make the drama compelling.Author: Trevor Johnston
Time Out London Issue 2089: 2 – 8, September 2010
User reviews of this film
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- cathy b said...
- Posted on Dec 09 2010 18:38 Loved this film, took me straight back to the fabulous Northern days of the 70's :-)
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- arthur said...
- Posted on Sep 03 2010 19:22 good story -great music
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Cast & crew
Director: Shimmy Marcus
Cast: Martin Compston, Felicity Jones, Nicola Burley
Rated: 15
Duration: 82 mins
UK Release: Sep 3 2010
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