Following in the footsteps of films such as Calendar Girls and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel comes another charming, if somewhat predictable, crowd-pleaser about embracing life in your later years.
Naturally, this film will be most enjoyed by those around the age of its stars, and they're a fabulous collection of British thesps. Academy Award nominee Imelda Staunton is "Lady" Sandra Abbotts, a snob who has spent her life supporting her husband only to discover at his retirement party that he's been having an affair with her good friend.
Devastated, she moves in with her estranged, free-spirited older sister Bif, played by Celia Imrie. They couldn't be more different, which provides plenty of amusing moments, but what really makes this odd couple relationship work is the seamless chemistry between Staunton and Imrie, who are a pleasure to watch together.
Of course a second chance at life wouldn't be complete without a love interest, cue Timothy Spall; but Finding Your Feet is as much about companionship as romance. There's a forced little side story about Bif's elderly dance group who do flash mob performances and are invited to a dance festival in Rome. Which is really just a fun way to introduce Bif's friends - a supportive group who look after each other while dealing with the grief of a divorce, death, or the loss of a loved one to dementia.
They also like to stay up until the early hours taste-testing grappa, and toking the occasional joint. Yip, you're never too old to have fun is another message hammered home.
Director Richard Loncraine (Wimbledon) captures London beautifully. The cast knew what they were doing, so he's put time and effort into capturing a diverse, picturesque London and its class divide. Rome is less convincing - one moment a glorious tourist advertisement, the next like it was shot in a studio.
Screenwriters Meg Leonard and Nick Moorcroft let the team down a little, following a familiar story that gives you fair warning of what's to come. But they also conjure up lovely, funny moments such as Joanna Lumley discussing her fifth marriage failure; it was due to "religious reasons. He thought he was God. I didn't".
Cast: Imelda Staunton, Timothy Spall, Celia Imrie
Director: Richard Loncraine
Running Time: 111 mins
Rating: M (Offensive language, sexual references & drug use)
Verdict: A feel good charmer.