Directed By: Robert Iscove
Written By: Tom Malloy
Grade: C+
Love N' Dancing follows the norms and formula of most other dance films. Up until the end, the film seems fairly natural and is paced well enough to keep the audiences attention. It is predictable and there aren’t any surprises, but it is still enjoyable enough to watch. It’s a familiar and comfortable film, but you suspect as much going in to it.
Jake Mitchell (Malloy) is the #1 World West Coast Swing Dance champion. He attained the title with his partner, the beautiful and talented Corinne Kennedy (Royston), and without his sense of hearing. Jake went deaf a number of years ago and has learned to read people’s lips, letting him have normal conversations. Most people don’t even realize that he is deaf until he lets them know. More importantly Jake has learned a completely alternative technique to dancing, without needing to hear the music at all. Jake turns off his hearing aid and simply feels the vibrations of the music, translating what he’s feeling in to his dancing. Now Jake is in his 30s and thinking it might be time for him to take a break from the competitive dance world. He’s a dance teacher now as well as a motivation speaker. He comes to an elementary school, speaking to the students about not letting any type of disability hold them back and displaying some of his championship winning dance moves. The kids go crazy and Jake attracts the attention of Jessica Donovan (Amy Smart), one of the school teachers who is amazed by what he did.
Jessica soon becomes Jake’s newest student along with her fiancé, Kent (Billy Zane). They are supposed to be taking lessons to prepare for their wedding, but Kent is so eager to avoid going that he becomes even more consumed in his work than usual. Jessica ends up working with Jake alone, making the two closer with each lesson. Jake encourages her to compete, but Kent is clearly against this idea. She finally decides that she needs to do this for herself and agrees to be Jake’s dance partner. Jessica spends more and more time dancing, working with Jake to build a strong dance routine together. When she’s not with him she’s practicing at school, making another teacher, Bonnie (Rhea), jealous of the new spring in her step. Kent gets possessive and jealous and still refuses to show any interest in something that clearly means a lot to Jessica. Each day she finds herself having a stronger connection to her dance partner than to her fiancé.
Tom Malloy probably gave the best performance as Jake, probably because he had gone through many of the same experiences as a competitive dancer. Also, since he wrote the screenplay, he had a good understanding of the character and where he wanted to go with him. Malloy also gave off a kindhearted, genuine, and likeable persona that helped us root for him along the way. Amy Smart did pretty well as Jessica and worked off of Malloy very well. She had great curiosity and energy that helped show the drive in her character to make the changes in her life to make her feel far more happier than she did before. Caroline Rhea had a smaller part, but was animated and served as a good side kick to Jessica, pushing her towards what she really wanted. Billy Zane did decent as the emotionally unavailable, work obsessed, and oblivious fiancé. In some ways, his character seemed a bit flat, but Zane brought out the side that we get to see of his character. Rachel Dratch also has a small part as the obsessed lesbian, unable to forget or move on from her relationship with one of the dancers. She has a frantic and relentless tone that shows the hectic mind set.
Tom Malloy set out to get this movie made a number of years ago. Although, it seems like there could have been a lot more depth added to it to it’s not a bad film by any means. The deaf dancer aspect, feeling the vibrations and literally dancing what he feels was the most interesting angle to me. “Dancing what you feel” is a fundamental part of dancing and it’s unique that we are given a character who can truly do this and as a result of this won a major championship. It’s also a testament that disabilities aren’t life shattering. In this case, it might have even made him a better dancer. These ideas were presented, but other elements like the couple clearly who have nothing in common and the followed, almost forced love interest seemed to be given a bigger role. I would have rather spend more time on exploring Jake’s perceptions, technique, and connection and passion with dancing and how it has made him a survivor who is making the most of life. I can see how dwelling on this too much, could make it seem preachy, but I think it would have been a risk worth taking.
The love story at the end between Jake and Jessica seemed really forced. They really didn’t build up to it at all and as soon as she is out of a relationship they are suddenly in love. I didn’t buy that for a second, although I did think they had a good partnership professionally and were helping each other find some newfound happiness. Still that forced love story seemed unnatural to me. I did find myself expecting a little more at the end, but at the same time I liked that they didn’t find the need to go all the way to some major competition. All they had to show was the potential to create hope for both of them. Love N' Dancing is fairly generic and feels like countless other dance films, but it does have great energy, atmosphere, and shows how a disability actually makes one more in tune with his passion.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments
Post a Comment