Coup de foudre à 3 temps

7.5 stars.

This is the first time in the last several weeks that I've been conflicted with a Hallmark movie. And by conflicted, I mean on the fence, not quite sure where I stand. My feelings are mixed, and the quality of the movie itself is inconsistent. One moment I feel so moved and it's so lovely and then the next is below average. The reason for this is unknown. I think it's the dual nature of the lead male himself. He seems like such a good guy, and yet he's such a coldhearted man who is unable to speak the truth and is following his heart down a dark road to fortune and fakery. The aristocratic lifestyle that he seems to desire, is obviously not what his soul truly desires. He yearns for the approval of an unworthy and shallow woman and I find his nature to be contradictory. In other words, like I said, I'm on the fence. The lead female is an innocent and wonderful person and for him to take her for granted is a travesty of love. I don't know why this particular film impacted me this way, but I think it was her poignant portrayal of a humble and good woman, being taken advantage of by a coward.

What an enjoyable movie. The characters were real, the story interesting and the chemistry between the two main characters was evident. I enjoyed the writing and the sets.

BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THAT PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 Christmas MOVIES. I HAVE NO AGENDA. I AM FARE ABOUT THESE FILMS.

This film is a winner. This gets played during Christmas time on the Hallmark Channel because it takes place during Christmas however the setting might worked better if it took place on Valentines Day. Regardless the film is a HUGEbJOY. Its very romantic with a nice pace. On top of that it has a story that pulls on your heartstrings with a message of "Love May Not Conquer All" but when you are in love life means more.

In this film Jack (Andrew McCarthy) is an executive in a financial brokerage firm trying to impress the firm's president, Drew Clayton (Chris Gillett), in hopes of a promotion. However, Jack is dating the fabulously rich and elegant Demi Clayton (Stephanie Mills), who happens to be Drew's daughter. Although Demi's mother Clarisse (Jane Moffat) doesn't necessarily approve of Jack and would prefer her daughter to date a man within their social circle, Jack still plans on proposing. Trying to create the perfect proposal, Jack signs up for dance lessons in preparation for his proposal to Demi at her father's lavish annual Christmas Dance. But when sparks start to fly between Jack and his dance instructor, Christine (Michelle Nolden), Jack will have to make some important decisions before it is too late.

"Come Dance With Me" again is not a typical Christmas movie. Its not about "Orphans" or "Santa". Its about a man deciding on what he truly wants in life.

I will watch it again. I am still smiling thinking about the film!

If you liked Shall We Dance, and you want to see what it would look like if it had a Christmastime setting, check out the Hallmark special Christmas Dance. Richard Gere isn't the only one who can take secret dance lessons and practice during work. Andrew McCarthy can do it too!

Teamed with dancer Michelle Nolden, there's an extra element to the story that makes for a sweet romance with a heart-wrenching conflict. While Andrew takes private dance lessons to impress his girlfriend, the boss's superficial daughter, he's drawn to the serious, calm, and steady Michelle. She's about to get evicted from her dance studio, curtesy of Andrew's company, but she doesn't know he's involved. Of course, he lies to her about his identity because he doesn't want to hurt her feelings - and because he's falling in love.

The one fly in the ointment? Mary Long's character, Andrew's mother. Nothing against Mary, especially since I enjoy seeing her in other movies, but she's far too involved with her grown-up son's love life for my taste. Besides that, this is a really sweet Hallmark movie. Believe it or not, it has more dance sequences than A Nutcracker Christmas, and they're very fun to watch.

DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. During some of the waltz scenes, the camera swirls. Also, there are strobelights in the dance club in the beginning that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"

Andrew McCarthy wants to marry the boss' daughter and secure his place in business. Her family has a tradition of ballroom dancing at Christmas. To impress her father and gain his approval, Andrew takes dancing lessons and falls in love with his instructor, Mary Long, in this superior Hallmark Christmas TV-movie.

Although the story sags occasionally from the minutiae of romantic comedy plotting, the heart of the movie, the self-realization that McCarthy comes to while learning how to dance and the growing relationship between him and his dancing partner is beautifully staged and performed, with a graceful camera caressing them as they move.

Howard Hawks was once asked how to make a great picture. He said "Three good scenes and no bad ones." This movie has those good scenes and more.