It's 1974 Lancashire in northern England. John is a meek student bullied at school. Mr. Banks (Steve Coogan) is his teacher. His parents force him to attend the youth club where outgoing DJ Matt is dancing to northern soul. When the school bully attacks, John joins Matt to stand up against him. The two fast-friends rebel against the small town ways and lose themselves to DJ for a growing audience. John falls hard for black nurse Angela.The two guys are not the most engaging. I think the characters are suppose to be 18. One guy looks like he's trying to be younger while the other isn't even trying. There is a danger of too young that is missing from these guys. The drama isn't really here and the plot is pretty thin. There is subplot of drugs that isn't that appealing. There is still some fun. I love the music and the flare pants. I love that the dance hall audiences struggling to figure out Matt's wild dancing. I applaud the commitment. It's not as much fun as one wants in a movie of this nature.

I don't know if I'm giving anything away, but please forgive me if I am. For me it was an excellent film, great attention to detail, and very authentic. Everything included in the plot, from the school, youth club, parent's attitude, and finally the casino, registered firmly on my radar. The joy of the weekend after what for most of us was a pretty mundane week, rang so true, I could almost hear the bell tolling, maybe that was the bell for morning assembly I'm hearing :) The film was made covering a short period of time, so to me everything had to be included, so as to recreate the time period, drugs, fighting, romance, are real recollections for most of us, granted not necessarily in such a short time frame, but if someone is going to be successful at evoking such an important time for so many of us, artistic licence must be granted. I've seen it twice, the first time I decided to disregard the northern soundtrack, and I saw a realistic and gritty piece of drama. The second time I allowed myself to be immersed in everything on display, and it was even better. If you like British films, please give it a go, if you like northern then it's a must, let go of the preconceptions and the ''What will happen next'' views of some reviewers, watch it for yourself and do what we've always done, make an informed decision on what's directly placed in front of you.

Great British drama at its best. Excellent Script and acting from the young unheard of cast. Music in the film,brilliant. This film has been in the making for a very long time and its a shame it didn't get the overall support from the film industry that it deserves. Watched it on DVD over the weekend and will be watching it again. I am into the Northern Soul scene anyway so know quite a few of the classic songs on the soundtrack. Gritty film..get it and get lost in the world of Northern Soul in its heyday. Go out and by on DVD and get some lino out and talc and get dancing to this cracking film. Excellent. Gritty Drama about the great sound of Northern Soul.

Northern Soul – love it live it, there is no other way!I was there and everything that went on it that film went on in the mid-70s soul scene. Obviously not every week; as a bit of poetic licence needs to be added to give the viewers a storyline. Apart from a few anorak moments everything was detailed exactly, or as near to, the era including the locations and clothing.The choice of music was absolutely 10 out of 10, for the period. Having seen it on the big screen, the DVD lives up to that experience. Miss it – Miss out…..In the words of John Bowie – 'Your're gonna miss a good thing' H