Mad Hot Ballroom

Buy This Item Mad Hot Ballroom by Paramount  Available from Amazon  $26.99  on 11-14-2008     If the delightful spectacle of preteen kids dancing the foxtrot and the merengue isn't enough to lure you in, add the pressure of a dance competition and the triumph of troubled kids finding self-respect through discipline--if <I>Mad Hot Ballroom</I> were a Hollywood movie, it would be too corny for words. Instead, it's an engrossing documentary about a wildly successful after-school program in New York City. <I>Mad Hot Ballroom</I> follows a handful of kids in three different schools from the beginning of their dance classes to the night of the inter-school dance finals. Regrettably, the movie fails to pursue the dancers themselves; a few scenes provide glimpses of some smart, articulate kids with vivid personalities and compelling emotions, but the filmmakers make a minimal effort to draw the kids out or explore their lives outside of the classes. Watching the kids develop as dancers is still gripping and the final competition will have you on the edge of your seat, but it could have been all the more so. Though certainly worthy and genuinely heartwarming, you can't help but feel that <I>Mad Hot Ballroom</I> lost an opportunity for something truly dazzling. <I>--Bret Fetzer</I> Reader Reviews I adored this movie. Don't let the 2 hour production time scare you off; it goes by in a flash. In this 2005 documentary, 5th graders from New York City public schools learn ballroom dancing (merengue, rumba, tango, the foxtrot and swing) as part of a 10 week course. As they learn the dances and the disciplines involved you see them change from shy skittish children to consummate dancers all culminating in the final citywide competition. You get to really know these wonderful children. From the very shy boys who can't open their eyes when dancing with a girl to the very dominating girls who feel that if a boy can't lead, well, they will do it themselves. This added with additional footage of candid conversations show you that kids are just kids. Some might be tougher on the outside, but they all have the same dream and aspirations. I will certainly miss these children and I just hope that their dreams are fulfilled.

Mad Hot Ballroom Available from Amazon Price: $26.99 Updated on 11-14-2008.

SPONSORED LINKS