Une mère manipulatrice

"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.

Some other reviewer said: "I was glad to see a movie finally addressing the 'dance mom' crazed mothers" .Not sure this subject matter ( handled in this rather cheap way) was some sort of artistic present from Movie heaven. This film is a competent piece of B movie built around a 19th century ballet dancer who poisons the Court of Pope Pius the 8th in a plot to deliver a Protestaent coup. Actually I lied - the plot is in the title. What is true is that this mindless daytime soap turned-into-film could have done so much more about nutcase Soccer-Dance Moms, but instead it was just a rather sad shoot set up somewhere in no-hope USA. What was noticeable was that servants and bribe-able/duped persons were all Mexican.

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.

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.

Taken Too Far was a compelling psychological thriller that while very entertaining, also has a great message about obsessive parents and the lengths they will go to in an attempt to fulfill their lost dreams through their children. Good performances, especially from Beverly Mitchell, and a well-written story with poignant social commentary, made this a movie I would recommend to any parent with children involved in any type of competitive activity as a cautionary tale about when support for one's child goes too far.