“Finding Your Feet” gets off to a brilliant start. We meet a woman in her 60s, very sure of herself, preparing for a party in celebration of her husband’s being awarded a knighthood. Through her thin facade of British reserve, we can tell she is thrilled about this, and especially excited about everyone having to call her “Lady.” Everything about the atmosphere suggests a polite movie about the upper class — and then Lady Sandra Abbott (Imelda Staunton) catches her husband in a full-on make-out session with another woman.
This caustic introduction is followed by some equally harsh comic scenes of Sandra’s going to stay with her bohemian sister (Celia Imrie) and being appallingly condescending to everyone she meets. Though born poor, Sandra has spent her life being married to a rich big shot, and so thinks she is better than everyone — or at least is reacting badly to finding out she isn’t. These scenes of Sandra’s toxic irascibility and burgeoning alcoholism are funny and have the ring of truth.
And then … Well, the title is “Finding Your Feet,” and unfortunately that title is somewhat literal. Sandra goes to her sister’s dance class, where everyone is in their 60s and over, and it’s through dance that … yes, and you know the rest, don’t you?
“Finding Your Feet” is the story of a woman who, at a fairly advanced age, finds herself having to build a new life. The movie is optimistic and predictable, neither of which are problems in themselves. Being optimistic and reassuring can even be comforting in a romantic comedy. The problem is that “Finding Your Feet” is both these things in ways that seem false and sentimental, and there are no surprises on the way to the inevitable.
Yet the movie remains safely within the realm of the pleasant and watchable, thanks to the skilled British actors — not just the sisters, but Timothy Spall as a rather unlikely romantic lead, and a cast of supporting players, including the always winning Joanna Lumley. It also deserves mention that, when the action moves to Rome, director Richard Loncraine films the city with such feeling for its atmosphere that you can almost feel the balmy air.
Rome has rarely been evoked with such unaffected ease, particularly the sonic landscape — the church bells, the chatter of passing tourists. So even when it sags, “Finding Your Feet” has something of the feel of being on vacation.
MOVIE REVIEW
“Finding Your Feet”
Grade: C+
Starring Imelda Staunton and Celia Imrie. Directed by Richard Loncraine.
Rated PG-13 for suggestive material, brief drug use and brief strong language. Check listings for theaters. 1 hour, 57 minutes.
Bottom line: The title is a bit literal, but it can feel like being on vacation
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