The Dance

The big fault of most low budget, independent films is not their lack of funds -- it's their lack of a well worked out script that has something to say. Well, "The Dance" is way above the average in the writing department. Based on the stageplay by Carol Lynn Pearson, it has been well worked out by director McKay Daines for the screen. The story explores three couples whose lives are enriched during one evening at a church dance social. The performances are first rate and the cinematography very striking. The film is romantic,thought provoking and very entertaining. This is certainly one of the best of the recent films made by LDS filmmakers. Certainly worth picking up on DVD!

I picked up a copy of this film at Greywhale for $2 when I saw that it was produced by Utah natives. The film is yet another attempt to drive home the idea that being "Mormon" is cool or trendy. The film is flat, pointless, and dull offering nothing for people outside the Mormon community and very little for those in it. The production quality is not bad, the acting was typical for a low budget Utah feature and the script was just a poor attempt to make a feel good family film. It took three attempts to get through the entire film, the first two I fell asleep. As entertaining as watching grass grow ...ok, maybe not that much fun.

I bought this movie for $2 in a cheap shop so I wasn't expecting too much from it. I found it fairly boring until the focus turned to the main couples having various serious discussions. I found some of them touching and there were some funny moments, too. I actually engaged with the movie at this point, but I hadn't really done so up to this point. It also made some of the characters more likable. I liked the young couple in particular. The actor who played Cameron reminded me of Jeremy Piven at times. The music wasn't great but to be expected of a low budget movie. The actual dance itself was really bad and totally unbelievable that people would want to hang around at it once they went in! It wasn't bad; I would probably watch it again.

Professor Charles Gordon (Michael Flynn) teaches English at an east coast college. One day in class, he discusses, with his rapt students, various love themes expressed in some of Shakespeare's plays. But, at home, he and his wife, Laura (Joyce Cohen) are having trouble with communication and affection, lately. Can he rekindle a spark? Perhaps, and that is why he plans a dance for area folks at a Mormon church/temple. Also attending the dance are two other newly-formed couples. Cameron, a serious student, has endured a recent break-up with his girlfriend and is still hurting. Nevertheless, he asks beautiful Zoe to "step out" with him at the event. Zoe, for her part, has also has a disagreeable ending to a past relationship yet agrees to go. Finally, a successful businessman, Howard (Scott Christopher), who runs his own investment firm at his home, has asked lovely Alyson (Monique Lanier) to be his date. Charles has asked Howard to be the host for the dance and, therefore, he needs a partner. Although she doesn't know Howie well, Alyson is making her first steps back into circulation after a nightmare marriage and divorce left her a single mother to two children. So, is romance ahead for any of these twosomes? Natch! But, the course is not always smooth, for each person has some serious baggage and personality quirks that may be difficult to overcome. Then, again, won't it be fun to see how it turns out? This is a sweet film with plenty of romance. Its very attractive and capable stars are most winning, although their names are not familiar. Sets and costumes are also very eye-catching. The script has a few awkward lines and, occasionally, takes a while to get to the heart of a matter. But, the direction keeps the tale moving along at a good pace. One note is that it is never stated but the couples are Mormons; however, this should be no impediment to any fans of light romance, whatever their religious views. So, by all means, take steps to get into this Dance.