Bolan's Shoes

In slow Brit-drama "Bolan's Shoes" T-Rex fan Leanne Best holds a big secret (even from loving vicar husband Mark Lewis (best performance here - no surprise - top actor)) that catches her up & overwhelms her when she runs into fellow T-Rex nut Timothy Spall. With his second movie as writer (after 2004's "Dirty Filthy Love") and first as director, Ian Puleston-Davis draws out the drama in simplistic melodramatic style, and as the awesome music of T-Rex is really only incidental in the background it doesn't save the film from mediocrity (nor do the good but brief supports from the likes of Mathew Horne & Louis Emerick). Ultimately, it's disappointingly flat.

Truly wonderful film!!!

Marc Bolan has such a special place in the hearts of many, this film fetched him back to us for a short time.

The main character was fantastic and the storyline kept us all riveted right until the end. Timothy Spall also played an interesting character and there were great scenes filmed at the shrine in Barnes Common, London.

The music of Marc and Trex throughout the film made it worth watching for all fans and for anyone who has not yet been captured by the distinct voice and sound of Marc.

Cannot wait to watch this film again!! Keep a little Marc in your hearts!!!

Many years after a fatal road accident affected her own family, Marc Bolan super-fans "Penny" (Leanne Best) and her pal "Steffan" (Dylan Dwyfor) head to the site of Bolan's own fatality where there is to be a quietly reflective memorial on the 75th anniversary of his death by a few other stalwarts. It turns out that this site is maintained by an odd looking gent, "Jimmy" (Timothy Spall) - who wouldn't look out of place playing guitar in "Slade, and who upon seeing "Penny" promptly has some sort of fit. It turns out that they have a great deal more in common than you might expect and as the story unfolds we learn a little more about their own trauma and just how it affected the relationship and their lives. Now, aside from them all having attended a T-Rex concert back in the day, meeting the band and acquiring a pair of his glamorous shoes, this film really has very little to do with the legendary musician. It's a melodrama about a family that has faced and struggled to come to terms with tragedy, mental illness and denial - and though it's not bad, it's not especially unique nor interesting either. The ending is quite touching, though - and it will look fine as a gently engaging vehicle for Spall on the television at Christmas.

Heart-warming as well as clever. Bolan's Shoes is a gem of a film that keeps your interest throughout. Yes, there's lots of wonderful T-Rex and Marc Bolan links, but it's the sensitivity of the characters and their stories that keep you focussed on what is really emerging in this beautiful production.

Congratulations to Terri Dwyer & Ian Puleston-Davies for their light touch on a heavy subject: childhood trauma & ripple effect consequences. The minimal dialogue in key scenes was genius.

Superb casting throughout - it's an absolute winner for Leanne Best, Timothy Spall and Mark Lewis Jones. Brilliant selection of the younger selves too.

BAFTA will undoubtedly notice this film for many good reasons. Well done to all at Buffalo Dragon.

A lovely film with some great acting. Enjoyed the story, bit of everything in it. Whatever's you do don't miss the first 5 minutes, it sets up the whole story.

The two lead actors were very believable despite their obvious age difference. Bit of a bombshell near the end which I wasn't expecting at all.

Overall it's definitely worth a watch, you won't be disappointed.

Would have liked to have heard more of Marc Bolans music, maybe whole songs rather than just snippets , but this didn't retract from the film at all.

Hopefully more to come from the collaboration between producers and director.