Some promises, like the one Stephen Mills made to Sue Gober when they were young, are often forgotten as life gets complicated. It's hard to imagine someone will still remember a pledge to meet with a childhood sweetheart forty years after it was made. Such is the premise of this delightful movie in which fate plays a big part of the story.
When Frank Keane, a baker, meets Stephen, little does he know how his own life will be transformed after he is asked by Mills to go in search of the woman he promised to meet. What Frank finds is a group of lonely people that meets for a weekly ballroom dancing lesson led by the daughter of the founder of the school.
Frank who is going through a rough time after his wife committed suicide, is caught by the gentle folks at the academy. Most of all, by Meredith, a young woman whose life is not exactly perfect and who suffers from beatings at the hand of a rough step-brother. Frank Keane, in turn, is part of a group of grieving widowers that meet to find a cure to their depression.
Through flashbacks one gets to know Stephen Mills' story and what happened to him as a grown man. Paul's recovery from the sad state his wife's suicide has meant for him has a lot to do with his passion for the newly discovery therapy: ballroom dancing, as taught by the famous Marilyn Hotchkiss' daughter.
Randall Miller expands on his 1990 short film of the same title giving it another perspective on the basic idea behind his first movie. There is a definite improvement as the film has opened up to better results. Some of the original cast return to repeat some of the original roles.
The best thing in the film is Robert Carlyle. He is not a matinée idol in any shape, or form, but playing against type gives him an opportunity to show his versatility. Marisa Tomei, seen as Meredith, does a fine work as the shy Meredith. Donny Wahlberg plays the brutish Randall Ipswich. Mary Steenburgen makes a fine Marianne Hotchkiss. John Goodman plays Stephen Mills. The large supporting cast makes an excellent contribution.
When Frank Keane, a baker, meets Stephen, little does he know how his own life will be transformed after he is asked by Mills to go in search of the woman he promised to meet. What Frank finds is a group of lonely people that meets for a weekly ballroom dancing lesson led by the daughter of the founder of the school.
Frank who is going through a rough time after his wife committed suicide, is caught by the gentle folks at the academy. Most of all, by Meredith, a young woman whose life is not exactly perfect and who suffers from beatings at the hand of a rough step-brother. Frank Keane, in turn, is part of a group of grieving widowers that meet to find a cure to their depression.
Through flashbacks one gets to know Stephen Mills' story and what happened to him as a grown man. Paul's recovery from the sad state his wife's suicide has meant for him has a lot to do with his passion for the newly discovery therapy: ballroom dancing, as taught by the famous Marilyn Hotchkiss' daughter.
Randall Miller expands on his 1990 short film of the same title giving it another perspective on the basic idea behind his first movie. There is a definite improvement as the film has opened up to better results. Some of the original cast return to repeat some of the original roles.
The best thing in the film is Robert Carlyle. He is not a matinée idol in any shape, or form, but playing against type gives him an opportunity to show his versatility. Marisa Tomei, seen as Meredith, does a fine work as the shy Meredith. Donny Wahlberg plays the brutish Randall Ipswich. Mary Steenburgen makes a fine Marianne Hotchkiss. John Goodman plays Stephen Mills. The large supporting cast makes an excellent contribution.