One Last Dance

ONE LAST DANCE appears to be a film for dancers, either active or retired, wannabees or romanticists. There is some terrific Brazilian influenced music from Stacy Widelitz that enhances much of the corps dancing and some beautiful moments of cinematography making the most of a bare ballet studio rehearsal hall - both of which add what dreaminess this low budget film has to offer.

Written and directed and produced and acted by Lisa Niemi the story involves the return to the boards by three retired dancers (Lisa Niemi, Patrick Swayze, George de la Pena - all three are dancers in real life) to pay homage to the gifts of a highly regarded yet now dead choreographer. The three left dancing seven years prior to the story for personal reasons, mostly involving lack of confidence and personal issues that affected each tangentially. They return to a company to perform a dance by the dead choreographer and the rest of the slim story is how these out of shape hoofers regain the healing magic of dancing.

The corps of ballet dancers assembled for this film is exceptionally fine for a pickup group: Rasta Thomas, Desmond Richardson, Kathryn Bradney, Tai Jiminez, Bambi Swayze, Jamie Bishton, Stephanie Slater, Heather Thompson, Dwight Rhoden and Yosuke Mino deserve special mention. The scenes of dancing vary depending on the choreography of each of four artists - Alonzo King, Dwight Rhoden, Patsy Swayze, and Doug Varone. But in the end to be less than a documentary about the rigors and rewards of dancing there must be a well-acted story based on a sensitive script and that is where the film is shaky and a bit self indulgent. Swayze, Niemi, de la Pena take the roles as far as they go, but in the end the story is much ado about very little.

Yet there is some gorgeous dance work well filmed that will satisfy even the most particular critic. The DVD added features include some insights into the difficulty and final rewards of bringing ONE LAST DANCE to the screen, and in these comments there is more story than that found in the script. Grady Harp

After viewing most the film One Last Dance, many psychological comparisons were evident. Not only did this movie portray beautiful dancing and a deep message, there were connections that were closely related psychological processes. The correlations included the ego, characters experiencing self doubt, mid life crisis', and injury.

A specific dance sequence in this film that contained all the psychological aspects was in the beginning of the film. When the main character is dancing in the dark dance studio room and he is haunted by various images of experiences he went through. He first starts out moving gracefully to the music running through all the moves in his mind as a dead tree branch lies across the floor. This to me represents the trio's choreographer who passed away before the show was ever performed. The room s also especially dark which expresses to me the emotion being portrayed as morbid because of the death. Sheets are also shown blowing in the wind which suggests being the presence of a spirit or ghost haunting him as he recalls the strict demeanor and suffering the dancers went through under his direction. A final example I recall from the film is when he falls during this scene. To me that represented when the women I the trio fell, and also implied to difficulty and previous failure of the project.

After seeing most of this movie, it was really amazing to me the numerous psychological associations it contained. Not only was it a beautiful dance story, there was deeper underlying meaning to it. This film wasn't just a typical dance movie that was uplifting and jovial, but instead demonstrated real life struggles and perseverance.

Overall, I enjoyed this film. It is a movie musical, but instead of breaking into song, the performers break into dance. This film was very well written and directed. I, however, feel that it doesn't translate well from stage to screen (I wish that I had been able to see the stage production). Or maybe the world just isn't ready for such a progressive method of storytelling. The Complexions dancers are wonderful and Lisa Niemi, Patrick Swayze and George de la Peña are superb dancers. The acting is certainly adequate and, at times, deeply moving. I recommend this movie to anyone with a dance background or an interest in non- traditional films.

The movie is delicate and the choreography's are amazing. It might not be perfect but many people vote it without any dance knowledge.

I loved to see that she used Brazilian music, which is great. Also the courage of Lisa Niemi to produce this movie with a very low budget deserves a lot of credit. Fortunately I could find it here in Brazil and appreciate it. I hope it gets everywhere so people that loves dance can see a very nice movie that goes a little bit different from the many clichés of struggle beginners.

The scene where they are warm up and the fog starts, really gives us the impression that the entire room is boiling.

It is a pity that we cannot see the complete choreography of Without a Word. That was the only promise that the movie did not accomplished.

When the successful artistic director Alex McGrath (Matthew Walker) dies, his New York dance company invites three veteran dancers, Travis MacPhearson (Patrick Swaize), Chrissa Lindh (Lisa Niemi) and Max Delano (George De La Pena), to exhibit a never performed dance piece called "Without a Word" as a last homage in a benefit show. Along the troubled trio reunion, secrets are disclosed, deep wounds are healed, culminating with their last dance together.

"One Last Dance" is certainly a very personal work of Patrick Swaize and mostly of his wife Lisa Niemi, who are producers, writer, director and lead actor and actress. The choreography is very beautiful, with a great music score including two Brazilian songs. Lisa Niemi and Patrick Swaize show that they are in good shape as dancers. Unfortunately, the screenplay is weak, with a sort of soap-opera drama and Lisa Niemi performs a confused character, never clear of her feelings and intentions. If she had a serious situation with Alex, why does she need to dance again? Travis returned for Chrissa, and Max because he is completely broken. Further, the tearful character Chrissa Lindh is boring in some moments with her insecurity. But the dances make this movie a worthwhile entertainment for those who like this art. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "A Última Dança" ("The Last Dance")