Love at First Dance

Contrary to a previous viewer, I thought Becca was perfect for the role.

Not sure how to add a "goof" but pretty ridiculous that when they went to hear the band there were vocals but nobody in the band was singing.

While Becca Tobin never jumps off the screen, there is still chemistry between her and Niall Matter. I haven't paid enough attention to Matter in the past, but I realized he is a solid half of the ... Father Christmas set of movies. And he does a great job in this one. You could see Eric grow in confidence as the story goes on, and underneath it he's falling in love.

Tobin is a steady presence throughout. I couldn't decide if she was a little too reserved, or just right, but you can understand easily how Eric could fall in love with Hope.

The third part of the triangle, Adriana, is no villain and compared to her Hope is downright giddy, but Adriana is supposed to be an unemotional rock.

Supporting characters are adequate if not great

I think the outline of the story could have been written by the viewer as soon as the background was established. These movies don't necessarily need surprises. But that means that one of the things this one had to do right was put the leads together as much as possible, and it did.

I usually don't like musical interludes that are often just there to avoid writing more plot, but in this case it was a nice dance interlude.

Have seen the two leads, Becca Tobin and Niall Matter (with more familiarity with Matter, with a generally positive opinion with exceptions), individually in other things and both are very likeable when their material is good. Of what has been of the June Weddings films, which has been a sizeable amount now, too many didn't do much for me though there are exceptions. Hallmark's output is wildly variable in all their seasonal blockings in every year, but they have been known to do some watchable things.

Watchable 'Love at First Dance' absolutely is. More than watchable in fact, actually though pretty good as long as not too much is expected. As far as Hallmark's June Weddings output goes, 'Love at First Dance' for me definitely is better than most. As far as their 2018 output from that January to June goes, it's one of the better faring ones too and is a good representation of both leads. Am not going to say that 'Love at First Glance' is a great film because it isn't, but it is a very charmingly sweet film with a very warm heart and without being too sickly sweet.

'Love at First Dance' isn't perfect. Really did not like the character of Adriana, a very one dimensional and annoying character overplayed by Cecilia Deacon.

Also found the final scene rather bland emotionally and too reserved, most Hallmark endings are too neat and sometimes unrealistically so but the final scene suffers from other things which is its blandness. Perhaps a little slow at times.

On the other hand, a lot is good. Personally though Tobin was fine, understated but not overly so and she is charming. Even better is subtly charismatic and easy going Matter as the more animated character. Their chemistry is low key, though a little too subdued towards the end, but natural and genuine. The rest of the supporting cast are fine, and while the characters are not complex and typical Hallmark apart from Adriana they are worth engaging with.

It is a very nice looking film too, one of Hallmark's best looking 2018 films in my view. The scenery really does entrance and the photography doesn't cheapen it at all. The music is lovely and it is one of not many scorings where of Hallmark's 2018 output it wasn't a problem. The music in the dance sequences doesn't disappoint. The dancing is beautifully choreographed and danced with a lot of elegance and understanding of what it is being in the dance world, wish there was more of it though. The dialogue is sharp enough and flows naturally, while also having the right amount of sentiment (not too much in quality and quantity). The story may be predictable and not perfect in pace, but it is incredibly charming, sweet without being too sugary and very heart-warming. There is a nice lightness to it too.

Concluding, not great but liked it a good deal. 7/10.

"Love, their surrounded by it, their in it. Once we focus on true love then everything falls into place."-Hope.

Hope is a dance instructor struggling with the decision to apply for an assistant choreographer position in London or get a loan and buy the dance studio she teaches at. In walks wealthy investment advisor, Eric Gunderson...only they have already met. They got off to a bad start, or had a meet cute depending on your perspective, in which Mr. Gunderson was throwing his name recognition around in order to get backstage at a play. As it turns out Eric is also in a quandary trying to choose between finance and theatre (he has a dual major from college...one for him and one for his dad).

"Are you trying to Mr. Miyagi me?"-Eric

As it turns out, Eric is marrying his business partner and can't dance. Hope, the couple's dance instructor, is having to do some special lessons with a Eric alone and is being pushed to do some out of the box lessons.

"How we are perceived is how the business is perceived."-Adrianna

Through the wedding planning it becomes more and more obvious that Eric and his fiancé Adrianna like and want different things for their future.

I love the romantic piece that Hope choreographs for her audition, it was a beautiful touch.

"I wish I could take the time to do this every day. Walk the Brooklyn bridge."-Eric

Sweet romantic love story...set in New York City. Great chemistry between our leads makes this a must watch in the Hallmark catalog.

Love and dancing...what more do you need?

Because Tobin did well in this movie especially the other lead their chemistry was magical with the added hallmark cliches