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.
13 Reviews
Seventies Nostalgia
firecosmicdancer21 August 2023
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!!!
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!!!
A gem of a film !
jlhwjustine20 October 2023
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.
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.
Strange age choice of actors
timjaremko-8483420 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The two main players are 3 years apart in age but no amount of making the excellent Tim Spall look like a later life George Harrison, can belie the actual 22 years in age disparity. Despite this anomaly this is a sweet movie beautifully told and to this oldie who remembers Marc and Mickey, a nostalgic homage. The rugged countryside of Anglesey is beautiful. The cloistered life of the ecclesiastical home is both accurate and to this atheist strangely repellent
The small budget does not diminish the impact of this film and the performances by the likes of Brookside favourite Lewis Emeric gives greater authenticity to what is a difficult theme.
Wow! 💯 go see this film!
kloucn8 February 2024
A must see for sure!!
Took my son a few months ago. He's not a film fan but he wanted to watch it again and again which says something about this film as he really enjoyed it and especially the twist on the cliff. Was unexpected. It was definitely something special and I'd definitely like to watch it again. The way it was filmed and staged was something amazing. The acting was amazing. It's so well written and acted. If I could give more than 10 stars I would. We both thoroughly really enjoyed this film and hope it comes out on dvd soon!
I definitely look forward to seeing what Ian Pulston-Davies does next.
Took my son a few months ago. He's not a film fan but he wanted to watch it again and again which says something about this film as he really enjoyed it and especially the twist on the cliff. Was unexpected. It was definitely something special and I'd definitely like to watch it again. The way it was filmed and staged was something amazing. The acting was amazing. It's so well written and acted. If I could give more than 10 stars I would. We both thoroughly really enjoyed this film and hope it comes out on dvd soon!
I definitely look forward to seeing what Ian Pulston-Davies does next.
Refreshing
pnzzdzw20 September 2023
Refreshing is the word that comes to mind after watching Bolan's Shoes. A great story, beautifully told with amazing acting, good music and fab pictures. Despite touching some difficult topics, it's definitely a feel-good movie showing that love will always win and, in some cases, can indeed keep us alive.
Amidst the tones of films including big Hollywood budget productions available on different streaming services, 'Bolan's Shoes' was like a breath of fresh air. I can't remember when I last watched a film and thought I'd like to watch it again the moment it had finished.
And Leanne Best was simply amazing! I can't wait to watch it again.
Amidst the tones of films including big Hollywood budget productions available on different streaming services, 'Bolan's Shoes' was like a breath of fresh air. I can't remember when I last watched a film and thought I'd like to watch it again the moment it had finished.
And Leanne Best was simply amazing! I can't wait to watch it again.
Beautifully shot, fantastic performances
jackhodgsondirector20 September 2023
A really strong debut for director Ian Puleston-Davies, it's a really emotional film that contains a lot of heavy subject matter. Deals with guilt, violence, mental illness and other serious topics, hitting it spot on with most. Performances by Timothy Spall and Leanne Best shine in particular as the two siblings, and the film works in the T Rex soundtrack really nicely. It has some really funny moments mainly from Timothy Spall, and Leanne Best manages to paint a picture of extreme guilt and regret in a heartrending performance.
Ultimately, Bolan's Shoes is a touching and stylish debut that deserves high praise!
Ultimately, Bolan's Shoes is a touching and stylish debut that deserves high praise!
Must watch film
darren-luckin26 September 2023
Brilliantly casted and well written! What a brilliant story fantastic film couldn't take my eyes off! Little twists in story line which was amazing!
Must see film 100% One of many British films made and what a great cast! Timothy Spall was amazing and producers and director spot on! If your a massive supporter of British films you must watch this.
I won't say much about the story line as you need to see this for yourself you will be hooked in seeing this and the twists that have been brilliantly written.
Produced by the brilliant Terry Dwyer who herself appeared also Matthew Horne also stared.
Must see film 100% One of many British films made and what a great cast! Timothy Spall was amazing and producers and director spot on! If your a massive supporter of British films you must watch this.
I won't say much about the story line as you need to see this for yourself you will be hooked in seeing this and the twists that have been brilliantly written.
Produced by the brilliant Terry Dwyer who herself appeared also Matthew Horne also stared.
Delicately produced; thought provoking; inspirational
ksmithbsm20 September 2023
It felt like an honour to be sat watching it, it was so delicately produced and directed that you felt that you were imposing on someone's real life story. Great cast, story line and perfectly engaging little twists kept you feeling part of it.
It even managed to make you laugh out loud and your heart sink all in the same scene.
This is Northwest film production talent at its best with a cast that brings the characters to life so perfectly. It is a film I will rent and watch again once it's onto smaller screens and maybe even let my teenager watch it to enjoy the great music, whilst I attempt to fast forward all the wearing!!!
It even managed to make you laugh out loud and your heart sink all in the same scene.
This is Northwest film production talent at its best with a cast that brings the characters to life so perfectly. It is a film I will rent and watch again once it's onto smaller screens and maybe even let my teenager watch it to enjoy the great music, whilst I attempt to fast forward all the wearing!!!
An emotionally engaging story
greg-8786527 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
An emotional story exploring loss, mental illness, identity and a common love of the music of T-rex. Ian Puleston-Davies' story reveals the journey of adult Penny, her life affected by a tragedy that occurs on the journey home from a T-rex concert in 70s Liverpool.
The children from a home run by a vicar meet the band and Marc Bolan backstage before their fateful coach trip home. Jimmy is bullied into setting a fire on his seat, causing the driver to be distracted, crashing the bus, resulting in the death of a child and the driver. Jimmy's resulting head trauma and guilt over the incident affects his mental state and his sister as they navigate the institution and it's vagaries. Jimmy gets separated from his sister after an altercation with another child. He never sees her again, till a chance encounter when they are adults.
Ian's story reveals the adult Penny's life, bound by her love of T-rex and Marc Bolan. Fans may be disappointed that this is not a tribute story and indeed it is not. What binds and weaves the story together is the common love of the characters and their association and love of music. The eponymous shoes are an anchor in the story. The layers are revealed, Penny, her identity, her motivation, the separation from Jimmy and eventual discovery of her long brother, lost in the care system.
A well crafted story and well, very emotionally engaging. I have tried not to spoil it by being vague about the real meat of the story. Loss, love, identity, mental health, redemption, forgiveness, all beautifully explored.
An excellent cast in Timothy Spall and Leanne Best adding to the kids who all did a great job, so moving, so compelling, so engaging. Thanks to you all. I came badly prepared, I had no tissues, only my sleeve. It does have a happy ending and we get to see those shoes again.
The children from a home run by a vicar meet the band and Marc Bolan backstage before their fateful coach trip home. Jimmy is bullied into setting a fire on his seat, causing the driver to be distracted, crashing the bus, resulting in the death of a child and the driver. Jimmy's resulting head trauma and guilt over the incident affects his mental state and his sister as they navigate the institution and it's vagaries. Jimmy gets separated from his sister after an altercation with another child. He never sees her again, till a chance encounter when they are adults.
Ian's story reveals the adult Penny's life, bound by her love of T-rex and Marc Bolan. Fans may be disappointed that this is not a tribute story and indeed it is not. What binds and weaves the story together is the common love of the characters and their association and love of music. The eponymous shoes are an anchor in the story. The layers are revealed, Penny, her identity, her motivation, the separation from Jimmy and eventual discovery of her long brother, lost in the care system.
A well crafted story and well, very emotionally engaging. I have tried not to spoil it by being vague about the real meat of the story. Loss, love, identity, mental health, redemption, forgiveness, all beautifully explored.
An excellent cast in Timothy Spall and Leanne Best adding to the kids who all did a great job, so moving, so compelling, so engaging. Thanks to you all. I came badly prepared, I had no tissues, only my sleeve. It does have a happy ending and we get to see those shoes again.
Very Good Film
psandford63928 September 2023
If you go to this expecting it to be a tribute to Marc Bolan, you'll be very disappointed. There are probably around 4 tracks that you hear a bit off, as the story is loosely woven around a 1976 T Rex concert and its aftermath.
The story is superbly written, superbly told, superbly acted. Timothy Spall is sublime in his portrayal of Jimmy. Leanne Best is equally superb in her portrayal of the lead character, her acting is equally as good as Spall. Support actors are very good, with Mark Lewis-Jones (I last saw him in Lindon's Burning) as the vicar is great having the best line of the film "it comes with the job."
Thoroughly enjoyable film, recommended for all (even if like my wife of 40 years, you don't like Bolan's music) and the twist towards the end caused a collective intake of breath in the cinema.
The story is superbly written, superbly told, superbly acted. Timothy Spall is sublime in his portrayal of Jimmy. Leanne Best is equally superb in her portrayal of the lead character, her acting is equally as good as Spall. Support actors are very good, with Mark Lewis-Jones (I last saw him in Lindon's Burning) as the vicar is great having the best line of the film "it comes with the job."
Thoroughly enjoyable film, recommended for all (even if like my wife of 40 years, you don't like Bolan's music) and the twist towards the end caused a collective intake of breath in the cinema.
Superb acting
francarey-3863124 September 2023
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.
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.
Will leave you warm and fuzzy inside
lyndseyhalligan20 September 2023
What a gorgeous little film. Fabulousness characters. Leanne best is phenomenal. As is Timothy spall.
The acting is superb, touches on mental health that we can all relate to in life but not so much that it's the main issue in the film.
Great characters that we have all met no doubt every day life. Music is great. The locations are nostalgic and the actors really do make this film what it is. Gorgeous liverpool! I laughed and cried. Walked out the cinema feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
I would watch again and also makes me want to visit all the locations. For a indie film this is up there with the best.
The acting is superb, touches on mental health that we can all relate to in life but not so much that it's the main issue in the film.
Great characters that we have all met no doubt every day life. Music is great. The locations are nostalgic and the actors really do make this film what it is. Gorgeous liverpool! I laughed and cried. Walked out the cinema feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
I would watch again and also makes me want to visit all the locations. For a indie film this is up there with the best.
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