Very Cool!!!

Too much of everything

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

One of those films you'll never understand why it didn't get a academy nomination. I fell in love with Tomei. Robert and John where amazing. Incredible story and well directer. Watched it with the cast at the Temecula Film Festival and just Loved the Film. Would really have loved to have take friends to see it in the theater. Don't let the tittle throw you, not sure it does the film justice. No disrespect to Mary Steenburgen who was wonderful as Marienne Hotchkiss. Not sure what more to say without giving away anything. Just don't look at the tittle and think you know what the film is about. Also interestingly part of the film was shot as an AFI short thesis film and completed years later.

With all the attention recently focused on Ballroom Dancing, this film was disappointing. Actors commonly spend a great deal of time developing their character. Stunt double withstanding, if one is to be on camera riding a horse, or fencing in a duel, or playing a song and dance man as Richard Gere in "Chicago", there is some serious preparation necessary to bring the character to life...thank-you Richard. How would we have reacted had Mr Pitt repeatedly tripped over his shield in "Troy"? I was so distracted by the dance shots in this film, I found myself rubbing my eyes and forehead in disbelief. I will not say that the script was void of merit, for I wasn't able to pay that much attention. I simply kept being pulled off track. On the upside, there was a nice pool of talent. John Goodman choked my heart, as usual. Still, I imagine the screening was very sobering for all involved.

Being a ballroom dancer this was pretty much a "required viewing." It was a little different from what I expected, but it was still worth the time. I've read the feelings of a lot of dancers who have rated this movie lower than I did. I would guess that they come by their opinions based on the fact that dancing to them, is a competition sport and that's how they always look at it. My feeling towards dancing would probably be more in line with those of Mary Ann Hotchkiss and Mr. Keane. "Dance is a very powerful drug Mr. Keane. If embraced judiciously, it can exorcise demons, access deep seated emotions and color your life in joyous shades of brilliant magenta that you never knew existed. But, one must shoulder its challenges with intrepid countenance if one is ever to reap its rewards." Get this movie, curl up on the couch with your honey and enjoy a very nice, sweet movie about searching for, and finding reasons for going on, even when life seems so pointless.

Robert Carlyle shines in this heartfelt story of love and loss. Frank (Carlyle) is driving to work in his bakery truck and he sees a man who has been fatally injured in a car accident. He stops to help the man, Steve, played by John Goodman. It turns out, Steve was on his way to meet the girl he loved as a young boy. They made a pact to meet on the 5th day of the 5th month of the 5th year of the new millennium. He was supposed to meet his love at the school of ballroom dancing where their love first bloomed. Since he can't make it, Steve asks Frank to go in his place to let the girl know what happened and that he tried to make it. Frank goes to the dance school, but doesn't find the girl there. He ends up participating in the class and keeps coming back. He meets Meredith, played by Marisa Tomei, and their instant attraction is clear. Donnie Wahlberg is excellent as Meredith's protective and controlling stepbrother, not to mention a wonderful dancer. Mary Steenburgen is great as the teacher of the dance class. She is very serious about the class, which makes her funny, although she is not meaning to be. There were many great small performances by Danny Devito, Ernie Hudson, Miguel Sandoval, David Paymer, Adam Arkin, Sean Astin...the list goes on. The movie goes back and forth between the conversation Frank has with Steve about how he met his young love as he is dying, the dance class, and Frank's therapy group. It does seem like it could be an extremely depressing movie, but it left me with a good feeling. It was about finding love and rising above the bad things life throws our way. That's what I took away from it, anyway. Not a blockbuster, but a nice little indie gem.