Kent C
Before reviewing this, I want to say I mean no disrespect to this creator or his films. As a Christian, I can respect anyone who's putting in an effort to bring their faith into their work. However, as a filmmaker and really, as an audience member who's participating in this process of Christians bringing their faith to the screen, it's important to bring my honest opinion to the screen.
My honest opinion is this- I think this film was bad.
Like I get the intentions, the heart and soul behind it- was good, but the execution, the quality of the writing, the performances of the characters, the editing, in my opinion was poor. And here's why:
One of my issues with this film was that it's described as a comedy but really shouldn't be. It seriously lacks the comedic timing/writing for it to be funny. Like there were so many opportunities for jokes to be put in that would have been hilarious but they were excluded.. I think it's mainly on focused on being a faith-based romance rather than comedy. Don't get me wrong, I had a couple of chuckles, but really the bad writing and acting took the fun out of it.
Choosing to be the writer, director and main actor of.a film can have major flaws. I. E. If something sucks, no one is there to tell you, because you're the boss over everyone and no one can keep you in check. But also, it's very possible to become self-obsessed. Look at how perfect the main character is? He's always shown in a good light, everyone loves him... Like does he have any real flaws other than grieving his ex-wife? The problem is when you write a script, and the direct it and star in it, it's very possible to make yourself look amazing and become obsessed with it even when it's not realistic at all. Like, who wouldn't want to be this guy by the end?
The biggest issue I have with this film is that the script and writing came across as cheesy, unoriginal, lacking in uniqueness or genuineness, and overall just fake. He works in an office cublic where he meets in a board room with other people dressed in suits. His boss almost "firing" him was done the same way it's always done, "your numbers aren't adding up." Like there are millions of jobs, millions of places to work and you chose the exact same type of job and work environment that are depicted in so many movies. Why? Make him a crabber, a golfer, make him a bartender, make him an uber driver, something unique.
-The aspect of him being a widow would have been more interesting if they hadn't just grazed over it. Like... who was this person? How did she die? How does meeting someone new play a role in his grieving process? Honestly, the lead character's performance when talking to to her in his bed was very bad. He didn't seem sad or genuine like someone who truly grieved for their love would be. Where was the heartfelt, gut-wrenching emotions? Or even a sense of solemness / emptiness. He almost seemed content when talking to her. Like "hey buddy"... Also, the lighting was weird. Why would his lights be on while he's talking to her in his bed? Wouldn't they be off? Does he turn the lights off to go to sleep after he talks to her?
The guy was wearing a suit to dance in. Why? I'm pretty sure for dance competitions, you would NOT be wearing that. It's incredibly stifling and just appeared off.
-Some characters were so unbelievable. His co-workers weren't realistic at all. Super cheery, banging on his door and coming across as desperate to talk to him all the time. Like where was this dialogue inspired from? And a lot of the "jokes" his co-workers cracked weren't funny. Yet they were all laughing as if it were. Further, does this character have any interest in dancing prior to this? It seems very bizarre he would just commit a ton of time and energy to helping this dance instructor without any real incentive. If they combined his work i.e. They said that part of his job would be to help this lady out- ok, I could understand that. But him just saying yes to be a co-dance person out of the blue was very bizarre.
-Some of the shots were off. Example, he shot a video of the dance lead with his iPhone, which was later used for his company's promo video. When the promo video is shown, however, it doesn't show the video the iPhone recorded - it shows the same shot of him looking at the iPhone recording. And it doesn't show it one the big screen, it's just a replay of that shot from earlier. Maybe it's because I work in film that I see all this. But it just screams film school level, amateur hour type project.
-
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
12/24/24
Full Review
Donald R
This movie has a good theme and some good character development, but it is exceptionally long and needed significant editing to make it flow better. The religious themes are done in an acceptable manner but not with finesse. The father of the two daughters and the two daughters themselves are good Central characters as is the divorced dancing lady who is trying to make a life in a number of different ways. It was not a great movie, but it was acceptable and again a little too long and with some parts that could have been edited out and still have given a good presentation.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
01/11/24
Full Review
Audience Member
This is a beautiful movie. I had read the script very fast and was not sure that the story would not be repetitive. It is a super script which does not hesitate to show that some people do believe in a superior force, have the courage to say it and to show it in their daily actions. The main thread is kept alive with some vigorous dancing and a woman it is difficult not to love or fall in love with. Jean-Pierre de Villers
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/08/23
Full Review
Audience Member
I enjoyed this movie a lot. Excellent rom-com, dance, family movie – widower with daughters and divorced dance teacher connect, reinvigorate their damaged lives through dancing and find faith and love. Great premise - like the TV dance shows with a love interest. I suspect the movie had minimal theatrical release due to COVID so negligible formal critic reviews, but I loved it.
The actors were very good. Peta Murgatroyd the female lead is a professional dancer, very well known on US TV, looked great, camera loves her, she acted well, reminded me of Jennifer Garner - I loved the Australian accent and that she kept her real surname. Robert Krantz the male lead did great: the leads had great chemistry as their acquaintance morphed into love. Excellent supporting actors, including some well known actors such as Ed Asner and others from movies and TV in character roles – like Easter eggs which added to the pleasure.
The story was heartwarming and had great feelgood factor. The movie was about faith and life and moving on after death and life disruption, great fit at a time of epidemic and social disruption. Great writing by Robert Krantz.
Robert Krantz not only wrote and starred but also directed. I think it's his first movie direction. He did a creditable job: the movie started slow but built well. It had a realistic tone and buildup – the joy of dance, love and faith which revives peoples' souls and lives. But, the tone was naturalistic, no-one became a Broadway star and that made it all the more affecting.
This is a great show for the holidays, a pick me up for your heart if the weather or life is cold. You'll walk out smiling. I'm recommending this to all my friends.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/09/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Didn't expect much but coming out smelling with surprising enjoyable fun during challenging times, remember God have a plan for all; stay strong & keep praying.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/03/23
Full Review
ann c
I absolutely loved this movie. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it entertained me. I thought the cast was perfect.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
Read all reviews
>
