SoulBoy
- 2010
- 1h 22m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
A coming-of-age drama set in the 1970s Northern Soul underground music scene.A coming-of-age drama set in the 1970s Northern Soul underground music scene.A coming-of-age drama set in the 1970s Northern Soul underground music scene.
- Awards
- 1 win & 2 nominations
Photos
Vortre Williams
- Derek
- (as Trevor Williams)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFilmed in 2008.
- GoofsAbout an hour into the film, Alfie Allen orders a drink in the pub by saying "can I get a bottle please?".
"Can I get..." is an Americanism that has only crept into the UK some time in the last 10 years and definitely would never have been used in the 70s.
- Quotes
Mandy Hodgson: Art college Joe, I've been accepted - and you're not going to stop me.
Joe McCain: Why would I stop you? I think you're amazing, like that guy mattress.
Mandy Hodgson: Matisse.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Wright Stuff: Episode #13.46 (2010)
Featured review
Northern Soul is back, it's being pumped into bars and clubs with rising regularity. Understandably with every resurrected craze, it had been converted into a film last year. The story is bland at best, with a predictable and formulaic path. The saving grace is a good performance by Martin Compston and the great soundtrack.
Soulboy is branded as a comedy drama, the comedy it speaks of is provided by various cheap jokes throughout, nothing showing real wit or craftsmanship. Cringe worthy dialogue and scenes abound with fairly wooden character acting providing the backdrop for see through storytelling.
Joe, as the likely lad, gets mixed up in drugs and the plot takes a dark turn. As it's a light hearted drama, no real harm comes of the actions. I don't want to bash the director and producers of the film as it is brilliantly shot, the dance scenes are a real treat to watch (except for the painful dance off) and everything is set up perfectly for the 70's from the platforms to the flares and the god awful red tank top. Regarding the dance off, maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me that in Wigan in the 70's it would've been a fight not a dance. The film didn't need that scene but obviously someone had the bright idea of a big Hollywood style ending. This isn't what the audience wanted from a Northern Soul tribute.
Despite all of the problems with this film, it is enjoyable, mainly because of the music, some of which I've now added to my collection. If you enjoy Northern Soul then this film will get you yearning for the Casino Club, if you don't then there isn't a great deal else to draw you in as the script and predictability make it a no brainer of a watch. Without the music, this is a poor man's An Education.
Soulboy is branded as a comedy drama, the comedy it speaks of is provided by various cheap jokes throughout, nothing showing real wit or craftsmanship. Cringe worthy dialogue and scenes abound with fairly wooden character acting providing the backdrop for see through storytelling.
Joe, as the likely lad, gets mixed up in drugs and the plot takes a dark turn. As it's a light hearted drama, no real harm comes of the actions. I don't want to bash the director and producers of the film as it is brilliantly shot, the dance scenes are a real treat to watch (except for the painful dance off) and everything is set up perfectly for the 70's from the platforms to the flares and the god awful red tank top. Regarding the dance off, maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me that in Wigan in the 70's it would've been a fight not a dance. The film didn't need that scene but obviously someone had the bright idea of a big Hollywood style ending. This isn't what the audience wanted from a Northern Soul tribute.
Despite all of the problems with this film, it is enjoyable, mainly because of the music, some of which I've now added to my collection. If you enjoy Northern Soul then this film will get you yearning for the Casino Club, if you don't then there isn't a great deal else to draw you in as the script and predictability make it a no brainer of a watch. Without the music, this is a poor man's An Education.
- pomeroy-nick
- Jul 4, 2011
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Souled Out
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- £1,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 22 minutes
- Color
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