Imelda Staunton and Timothy Spall in “Finding Your Feet.” (Roadside Attractions)

Imelda Staunton and Timothy Spall in “Finding Your Feet.” (Roadside Attractions)

A cast of old pros brings life to formulaic ‘Finding Your Feet’

It’s the latest British film to admit the existence of older people and still make money.

British actors are guaranteed a steady income after a certain age. This has nothing to do with the welfare state, but rather with the success of the “Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” pictures, which proved that movies could admit the existence of older people and still make money.

The latest example of this sub-industry is “Finding Your Feet,” a film with a formulaic outline but a pleasant mood. It opens with a shock for the priggish Sandra (Imelda Staunton): On the very day her husband (John Sessions) celebrates his knighthood, she discovers he’s planning to run off with his mistress.

And “Lady Sandra” had such a nice ring to it, too. Somewhat unbelievably, Sandra opts to move in with her estranged sister Bif (Celia Imrie), whose messy flat is a long way from Sandra’s pristine former life.

Bif, a free spirit, drags Sandra into her dance-performance group, where inhibitions and upper-class snobbery won’t fly. The motley crew includes snaggle-toothed Charlie (Timothy Spall, late of “The Party” and “Mr. Turner”), who lives on a canal boat and carries a secret.

As a piece of storytelling, “Finding Your Feet” doesn’t offer much credibility — the dance group is invited to perform at an arts festival in Rome? Really? But it comes to life, partly because of its shifting tones: death played for comedy, illness played straight, loneliness and regret acknowledged without having to be tidily resolved.

Director Richard Loncraine has done some decent work over the years, including the Ian McKellen “Richard III,” and he’s not one to soften the edges. That may explain why this movie isn’t content to merely tug at the heartstrings.

It does pull a few of those, of course, but its actors put a pinch of salt in the sugary recipe. Staunton can do cranky without turning it into a caricature, and Imrie (a veteran of the “Marigold” world) is always deft at suggesting mischief around the edges.

With the sardonic Spall around, there’s no danger the film will entertain fantasies about handsome Prince Charmings. And Joanna Lumley (taking a break from the “Absolutely Fabulous” world) and David Hayman provide witty support in the dance troupe.

“Finding Your Feet” doesn’t build to any profound revelations, and it has one bothersome plot point — withheld information that could easily have been shared — that rings completely false. Still, by providing good company with skilled, distinctive actors, it rises above the well-worn formula, and seems likely to follow in marigold-colored footsteps.

‘Finding Your Feet’ (3 stars)

A sturdy roster of U.K. actors gives this formulaic tale a sense of life. Imelda Staunton plays a jilted snob who moves in with her free-spirit sister (Celia Imrie); their dance-performance group provides a much-needed creative outlet. Timothy Spall and Joanna Lumley are in the cast of old pros.

Rating: PG-13, for language, subject matter

Opening: Pacific Place

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

What’s Up columnist Andrea Brown with a selection of black and white glossy promotional photos on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Free celeb photos! Dig into The Herald’s Hollywood time capsule

John Wayne, Travolta, Golden Girls and hundreds more B&W glossies are up for grabs at August pop-up.

Rodney Ho / Atlanta Journal-Constitution / Tribune News Service
The Barenaked Ladies play Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville on Friday.
Coming events in Snohomish County

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Edmonds announces summer concert lineup

The Edmonds Arts Commission is hosting 20 shows from July 8 to Aug. 24, featuring a range of music styles from across the Puget Sound region.

Big Bend Photo Provided By Ford Media
2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend Increases Off-Road Capability

Mountain Loop Highway Was No Match For Bronco

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

Mustang Convertible Photo Provided By Ford Media Center
Ford’s 2024 Ford Mustang Convertible Revives The Past

Iconic Sports Car Re-Introduced To Wow Masses

Kim Crane talks about a handful of origami items on display inside her showroom on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Crease is the word: Origami fans flock to online paper store

Kim’s Crane in Snohomish has been supplying paper crafters with paper, books and kits since 1995.

The 2025 Nissan Murano midsize SUV has two rows of seats and a five-passenger capacity. (Photo provided by Nissan)
2025 Nissan Murano is a whole new machine

A total redesign introduces the fourth generation of this elegant midsize SUV.

A woman flips through a book at the Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pop some tags at Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley

$20 buys an outfit, a unicycle — or a little Macklemore magic. Sales support the food bank.

The Mukilteo Boulevard Homer on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Homer Hedge’: A Simpsons meme takes root in Everett — D’oh!

Homer has been lurking in the bushes on West Mukilteo Boulevard since 2023. Stop by for a selfie.

Sarah and Cole Rinehardt, owners of In The Shadow Brewing, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In The Shadow Brewing: From backyard brews to downtown cheers

Everything seems to have fallen into place at the new taproom location in downtown Arlington

Bar manager Faith Britton pours a beer for a customer at the Madison Avenue Pub in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Burgers, brews and blues: Madison Avenue Pub has it all

Enjoy half-price burgers on Tuesday, prime rib specials and live music at the Everett mainstay.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.