Northern Soul 2014

Dennis Harvey, Variety: The convincing atmosphere, performances and soundtrack of vintage Yank R&B obscurities make this an enjoyable throwback to a scene whose influence if not its fame eventually traveled far. Read more

Tom Long, Detroit News: The first feature from writer-director Elaine Constantine, herself a Northern soul veteran, the film follows a fairly familiar innocent-led-astray storyline. Read more

Stephen Dalton, Hollywood Reporter: This project was clearly a labor of love for Constantine, but it is hard not to conclude that her original documentary idea might have had a lot more passion than this flat-footed fictional treatment. Read more

Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times: The film has a ferocious, shaggy energy that mirrors that of the testosterone-, amphetamine- and adrenaline-pumped boys. Read more

Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times: 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 more

Tom Keogh, Seattle Times: A revealing if disappointingly thin and histrionic drama about a couple of 18-year-old guys who gamble their dreams and future on riding a wave of youthful passion for soul music. Read more

Nathalie Atkinson, Globe and Mail: Rich in period detail, it's as transportative to the shuffling spins, fashion subculture and euphoric, amphetamine-fuelled all-nighters of 1974 Lancashire and the cult-following DJs of the Wigan Casino as a documentary, turned up to 11. Read more

Linda Barnard, Toronto Star: The movie is carried by the two hard-dancing leads, whose sweat-soaked strutting demands attention. Read more

Tom Huddleston, Time Out: This feisty, frequently amusing chronicle of one young man's journey through the dancehalls of Lancashire nails its time and place. Read more

Abbey Bender, Village Voice: While the dynamics of John and Matt's troubled friendship are nothing new, Northern Soul does a fine job of creating their world ... Read more