Taken Too Far

Love this film... We've all seen the some crazy adults do stupid things when it comes to their kids performing and competing. DEADLY DANCE MOM is a fun and nicely done TV movie that looks one Dance Mom that will go to extraordinary lengths to ensure her daughter success. The story and acting are well done. If you like the TV Dance Mom series, you'll love this.

A jealous mom with issues mixed with Chardonnay is never a happy ending! DDM characters were well written with some quality lines. I loved the Midwest setting and the cautionary tale of getting too involved in your children's lives to fulfill oneself. Taken Too Far is also a good title but Deadly Dance Mom reminds me that sadly, this isn't too far from a real news story. I'd recommend this as a movie to watch with your kids.

Deadly Dance Mom is one of those movies you have to be in the mood for. If you want women-in-jeopardy, Lifetime Channel-type fare, it might be just the ticket. Acting is adequately over the top when it needs to be, the production values are surprisingly good for a low budget TVM, and the story moves along at a healthy clip. Beverley Mitchell is sweet but not saccharine as the mother of the more talented dance girl, and Christina Cox as the malicious titular dance mom is so out of control she almost elicits sympathy. As she weaves her tangled web of malice and deceit, we are swept along for the ride, wondering what evil deed she has next up her sleeve. When she receives her comeuppance (and a probable prison term) at the end, the ultimate family tragedy of a broken home is made good by the dad's renewed commitment to her daughter, and the bond of friendship now reaffirmed between the two girls. Perfectly suited to a "personal day" at home with a hot tea or glass of chardonnay, some fluffy pillows, and a turned-off cell phone.

"Taken Too Far" launches the viewer into the bizarre yet all too familiar world of unstable, unseemly parents living vicariously through their talented offspring. Parents whose own failures can easily turn them into monstrous criminals destroying the lives of many all for the sake of "advancing their babies to stardom". Ms. Rogers examines this phenomenon with adept skill. Short, sweet and to the point her 90- minute action-packed treatise is a thrill ride to be sure, yet she finds the time to explore, once again, this tragic underworld culture whose culprits are many and victims many more. From dads slinging fists and clubs at pee-wee soccer games to the murder of Jon Benet Ramsey, American society becomes a battlefield where the kids stand helpless on the sidelines while their parents fight it out for their own selfish gratification. Ms. Rogers is to be commended for a fine cinematic achievement. Bring us more like this.

Well written and screened. Would a mom go this far, you might ask. Well, what about those parents that start non-profits in the name of their teen to help them get into the Ivy Leagues? Or those who use money to buy power. Given that, the plot was realistic and at times kept you on the edge of your seat. I especially liked the background music and the filming was good. I hope we will see more by this screenwriter.