Northern Soul
Freestyle Releasing | Release Date: October 2, 2015 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
64
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews
Positive:
6
Mixed:
8
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
Los Angeles TimesKatie WalshOct 1, 2015
The electrifying Northern Soul captures the 1970s British club scene of the same name with ethnographic detail and ebullient style. Read full review
88
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Nathalie AtkinsonOct 29, 2015
It thrills because Constantine, a noted British photographer, shows instead of tells. Read full review
83
The PlaylistChristopher SchobertSep 30, 2015
Constantine captures the invigorating joy of these songs, and humorously shows that it is nearly impossible to listen and not feel the urge to dance. Read full review
80
CineVueAdam LowesSep 30, 2015
If Northern Soul loses its way a little as the duo's friendship starts to unravel, with Constantine working in some unwelcome and unnecessary melodrama, this is a minor blip in what is an otherwise joyous and air-punching affair. Read full review
70
Arizona RepublicBarbara VanDenburghOct 2, 2015
A great soundtrack can go a long way in smoothing over a decent movie’s rough patches, and Northern Soul’s is fantastic. Read full review
70
The New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisOct 1, 2015
Funny and feisty, gritty and sometimes grim, this first feature from the photographer Elaine Constantine delivers a sweaty snapshot of a very specific time and place. Read full review
60
EmpireOwen WilliamsSep 30, 2015
While the storyline is a little underpowered, it's so packed with vinyl gems (Edwin Starr, The Salvadores, Frankie Valli) that Northern Soul fans will be doing backdrops in the aisles. Read full review
60
The GuardianMike McCahillSep 30, 2015
Every other scene showcases a northern treasure (Coogan, Thomson, Tomlinson, Stansfield) and looks, feels and – crucially – sounds true to its sweaty-hazy, slightly cramped corner of history. Read full review
60
Time Out LondonTom HuddlestonSep 30, 2015
Give Northern Soul its due: this feisty, frequently amusing chronicle of one young man’s journey through the dancehalls of Lancashire nails its time and place.... A pity, then, that the story is so tiresomely familiar. Read full review
60
Total FilmAli CatterallSep 30, 2015
Sporadically engrossing, its highlight is a brilliant recreation of an all-night dance-a-thon at that northern soul mecca, the legendary Wigan Casino. Read full review
60
VarietyDennis HarveySep 30, 2015
If “Soul’s” script errs on the side of simplicity, it does effectively downplay the cliches inherent in its unambitious story arc. And the foregrounded local culture is always engaging, with meticulous but unshowy attention to period detail on all levels. Read full review
50
RogerEbert.comGlenn KennyOct 2, 2015
The storyline is so rote that the idiosyncrasies of the scene don’t register with any power. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterStephen DaltonSep 30, 2015
Constantine’s skills as a first-time dramatist are a serious weakness here. Though the subject matter is rich and the soundtrack terrific, character and plot take a back seat. Read full review
50
Village VoiceAbbey BenderSep 30, 2015
This debut feature by Elaine Constantine has no shortage of style, but ultimately relies a lot on cliché. Read full review
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