--- title: "Northern Soul: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/northern-soul/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/northern-soul" critics_score: 66 critics_reviews: 12 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Northern Soul (2014): what the critics said Critics' score 66 from 12 reviews: 6 positive, 4 mixed, 2 negative. ## Los Angeles Times — Katie Walsh Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 October 2015. Walsh finds the film an exciting, edifying portrait of Northern Soul culture and calls it the best DJ movie of the year. She especially praises its lived-in period detail, energetic direction, and fantastic soundtrack. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-northern-soul-review-20151002-story.html) ## IndieWire — Christopher Schobert Rating B+. 13 September 2015. Festival review. Schobert finds the film a wildly entertaining, successful whole, despite a late dip into contrived melodrama. He praises its invigorating music, high-tempo editing, and Josh Whitehouse’s memorable performance. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/tiff-review-northern-soul-starring-elliot-james-langridge-with-steve-coogan-more-259942/) ## Variety — Dennis Harvey Fi1m's normalised score 72/100 (inferred from the text). 22 September 2015. Festival review. Harvey finds the film an enjoyable, if modest and unmemorable, throwback. He praises its convincing atmosphere, performances, and soundtrack of vintage American R&B. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2015/film/festivals/northern-soul-review-1201599201/) ## Empire — Owen Williams Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 7 October 2014. Williams finds the plot underpowered but praises the soundtrack, performances and affectionate portrayal of 1970s Lancashire. He singles out the music’s ability to capture the excitement of the Northern Soul scene. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/northern-soul-review/) ## The Guardian — Mike McCahill Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 October 2014. McCahill finds the film an expansive, convincing portrait of the Northern Soul scene, though its protagonist’s journey feels anecdotal. He especially praises the music and the film’s sweaty, cramped recreation of that corner of history. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/oct/16/northern-soul-elaine-constantine-review-drama) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 3/5. 14 October 2014. The review gives the film three out of five stars, indicating a moderate verdict. The available page text does not reveal what Huddleston specifically praises or criticizes. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/northern-soul) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Stephen Dalton Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 24 October 2014. Dalton finds the drama flat-footed and its characters and subplots underdeveloped, despite the film’s evident affection for the scene. He singles out the energetic vintage soundtrack as its saving grace. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/northern-soul-film-review-743870/) ## HeyUGuys — Stefan Pape Fi1m's normalised score 94/100 (inferred from the text). 14 October 2014. Pape finds the film a joyful, accomplished debut that captures the excitement of discovering music and belonging to a community. He especially praises its vibrant soundtrack and the conviction of Elliot James Langridge’s performance. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/northern-soul-review/) ## Eye for Film — Amber Wilkinson Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 18 October 2014. Wilkinson finds the film an engaging, grounded portrait of friendship and working-class aspiration, though its focus on the two boys leaves female characters underdeveloped. She praises Elliot James Langridge’s gradual, convincing performance and the film’s period detail and music. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/northern-soul-2014-film-review-by-amber-wilkinson) ## The Playlist Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 13 September 2015. Festival review. The URL identifies this as a TIFF review, but the page content is blocked. The critic’s verdict and any specific praise or complaint are unavailable. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/tiff-review-northern-soul-starring-elliot-james-langridge-with-steve-coogan-more-20150913/) ## The Skinny — Stephen Carty Rating ★★★. 13 October 2014. The review finds the film’s authenticity impressive, though it suggests the music scene gets more attention than the characters. It praises the soundtrack and the film’s depiction of northern soul. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/northern-soul) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the film heartfelt but ultimately shallow, unable to match the music it celebrates. The dancing, period setting and expertly curated soundtrack are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-various-artists-15721-323362) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/northern-soul.md