Love N' Dancing (2009) User Reviews

innocuous romantic comedy

[Buddy-51 · 4/10 · 17 June 2010]

Robert Iscove's "Love N' Dancing" chronicles the romance between an attractive middle school teacher and a deaf dance instructor she meets at a school assembly. The trouble is that Jessica (Amy Smart) is already engaged to a workaholic (a bald Billy Zane) who's always on his cell phone, while Jake (played by screenwriter Tom Malloy), who holds the title of World West Coast Swing Champion, is still carrying the torch for a former flame who has already moved onto a new love interest and dance partner.

A paint-by-numbers romantic comedy, "Love N' Dancing" has moments of undeniable charm - in its early stages at least - but the triteness of the plotting, the uncharismatic performances, the motley secondary characters (Rachel Dratch and Bette White make brief appearances), and the surfeit of implausibilities wind up taking their toll in the end.

The dancing is cool, though.

Good but haven't we seen this before?

[dbborroughs · 5/10 · 5 June 2009]

Okay play along with me, teacher who's husband is too busy for her meets a dancer who offers to teacher her and go into competition with her. If you can't fill in the blanks this movie is for you. If you can fill in the blanks and don't care this movie is for you. If you can fill in the blanks and wants more than what you've filled in you may want to take a pass. Well made but as by rote as they come.Okay its not as fill in the blanks as something as "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past", there are some twists and turns, but for the most part this is a film that never really strives to be much of anything creatively. Its sort of like a Harlequin Romance where you know exactly whats going to happen because you've read a dozen other books exactly like it. If thats your type of film, by all means give it a go.

this is for Malloy

[chipura · 6/10 · 2 July 2009]

As well, Tom Malloy is the best thing in this movie. I am giving an entrance with references which you must know, yeah, regular chick flick movie- feel-good movie plus dancing which is my favorite, musical-chick flick. I appreciate but I can't say it is hilarious; Strictly Ballroom- Buz made it in 90's with a great success. "Brave new steps put Scott's career in jeopardy. With a new partner and determination, can he still succeed?" That is why we love "The Cutting Edge", buddy. Mr Malloy stole my heart! Amy Smart, you are still my "Butterfly Effect":) I warn you that I may be one of those critics but still full of emotions!; it reminded me that honesty. I'm looking forward for your next movies Malloy, surprise me!

An uplifting film

[Gordon-11 · 6 July 2009]

This film is about a former dance champion who re-evaluates his life after meeting a dedicated and talented student.

"Love N' Dancing" is not a typical romantic comedy. It successfully amalgamates these cheesy themes into an enjoyable film with a positive message. On the surface, it is about love and dancing. At a deeper level, "Love N' Dancing" is about not letting impairments and self doubt hinder yourself reaching your full potential. It is an uplifting feel good film, both visually and emotionally.

I enjoyed watching it a lot, and I think it deserves a wider audience and more recognition.

Ugh

[jimmerw · 1/10 · 6 August 2011]

It was painful sitting through this. The same movie has been done over and over again.

Acting was poor. Each one of them seemed to be trying too hard to bring their characters to life.

The story, a school teacher takes a few dance lessons and her instructor believes she is ready to compete in the world championships? Are you serious?

It was so bad, even the smallest things were annoying. A scene at a party, male leads former dance partner is with her new guy. He is chomping on gum with his mouth open like a cow chewing it's cud. And drinking a beer. Beer and gum? Try it sometime, you'll see why it isn't done.

I could run off a seemingly endless list of things in this movie that I found annoying, but it would be much easier to list the things that did not annoy me. Hmmmmmm, thinking........hmmmm..... well, the dance sequences, with the real dancers, were fairly good to watch.

I just wish there was a score lower than 1 to rate this movie.

Commendable introduction to West Coast Swing

[templer_doom-1 · 7/10 · 19 May 2009]

Having been a West Coast Swing dancer for 5 years in the UK, it was great to finally see this film in a cinema in San Diego across from the annual Swing Diego dance convention. Anticipation has been high for this film over the last year or so, which has been given a limited cinema release. In the UK, it has only been available on satellite through Sky, so it was nice to catch it in a proper cinematic environment.

Devotees of the dance style will have a ball spotting some of their favourite pros in some sequences. The likes of Ronnie Debennetta, Brandi Tobias, Jordan Frisbee, Tatiana Mollmann, Parker Dearborn, Jessica Cox and others who work and teach tirelessly during the calendar year at events both US and Internationally serve as competent supporting players in a movie in the style of STRICTLY BALLROOM.

Tom Malloy plays a former US Swing champion who gives a lecture on disability to a school and reveals his talent to a class of students. A teacher at the school wants to sign up her fiancé for dance lessons, but his devotion to the deal rather than her prompts her to follow through herself.

Robert Iscove, who directed SHE'S ALL THAT (memorable for the prom dance to Fatboy Slim and who has a long history of dance choreography) does admirably and refreshingly the issue of deafness in an individual is sensitively handled. The dance sequences are staged well and the more astute amongst WCS dancers keen to see the style portrayed in cinematic form will not be disappointed.

Hopefully, this will be the start-off point for more films along the same lines.

Skip it: the romance and plot are weak, and the dancing's strictly for WCS devotees

[mrtraska · 2/10 · 27 June 2011]

... and I dance East Coast Swing, a simplified take on Lindy Hop, which is the real thing (West Coast borrows a few moves from East Coast/Lindy and blues dance but is actually too Hollywood in its choreography and too close to the Hustle -- FEH!), so of course the dancing fell short for me. Real swing is what you dance to Count Basie, Duke Ellington, or Benny Goodman, or even contemporary big bands. My saying so will no doubt steam the West Coast fans in the audience, but hey, dance history is what it is (look up Frankie Manning and Hellzapoppin' on Wikipedia if you want to know where it all came from). Besides, the dance scenes would have fallen short anyway, for reasons cited below. But I digress.

I started off really wanting to like this movie. Honest. After all, I found the male lead appealing at first, and I'd enjoyed other dance films such as Strictly Ballroom, Center Stage, Take The Lead, and Tango Bar (I even tolerated Shall We Dance fairly well, given my usually complete disdain for Richard Gere). But no: the non-dance part of this storyline was so weak it made me cringe. OFTEN. Billy Zane was slightly less obnoxious than usual, so that was something, but not enough to offset the fact that Amy Smart seemed to be sleepwalking through the whole thing. The writing was awful. Their fight scene at home, for example, seemed sudden and oh, so contrived. So did the upset at their friends' wedding. Fake, fake, fake. You could see the consequences telegraphed a mile away. And the dance competition was even **more** Hollywood over-the-top than West Coast usually is. Mehhh. They learned ALL the wrong things from ballroom competitions.

Worst of all, Amy Smart never looked like she was really getting the hang of the sense of elasticity or stretch that underlies all variations of swing -- or that she was enjoying any of it, even a little bit. If you hate dancing that much, why do a dance movie?? Don't tell me she really liked it, because you sure couldn't tell from her performance in this film. I could barely sit through it. The actual dancing by others, however, like some ballroom competitions I've seen, was expert yet mechanical. Soulless despite all the plastic smiles, sequins, and flash moves. Wasn't **anybody** really getting into it? It's like they were still showing off but all just too cool to really show they like it. Nuts!!! I've seen much more fun and energy generated by amateurs at Lindy competitions on college campuses than I saw anywhere in this film. And I kept wanting to see real Lindy Hop, so that spoiled the rest of it for me.

If you want an introduction to WCS, I suppose this is as good as any; but if you were hoping for another Swing Kids (despite its inauthentic choreography) or Take The Lead, sit this one out -- it's not your kind of number, and it doesn't even have anyone like Antonio Banderas to save it. And Lindyhoppers should avoid it entirely. (It'll just annoy you too much. Better your should watch Frankie Manning clips on YouTube or video reruns from the Frankie 95 celebration. I'm just saying.)

PS -- I just noticed that Tom Molloy, the lead, also wrote the script. He has a lot to answer for, in that case.

Loved and loved it!

[tanchimc-11296 · 7/10 · 9 February 2016]

Such a smart, funny, beautiful movie! Pays attention to details, has very likable actors, superb dancing, great script.Even though its a small budget movie, i just really loved how carefully they've directed it, haven't seen any goofs or superficial scripting and even though it seems predictable at first glance, it surprises in every level! I never liked Billy Zane and this is the first role that he is very cute and funny.It suits him well! This is one movie you have to see, if you are romantic and love dance! I have to write 2 more lines, i don't understand this silly rule, so let me repeat again and again, this movie is wonderful and if you like dance, comedy and romance, sit tight and enjoy the movie night!

No Way

[artofstephanie · 1/10 · 27 May 2009]

Although I agree with the first commenting on this film regarding "ability", the rest of the film is terrible.

None of the actors/actresses were convincing, the storyline had potential but was poorly delivered, and the lack of morals kind of irritated me. It seems that the more times goes on in the world today, the more love and relationships are treated as completely disposable. Nothing ever sends the message of "working things out" anymore....now it's all about, "Well, if you're unhappy just dump who you're with and bring the next guy to the pad your ex paid for and make out with him in it." No respect. Yes, I know this is only a film, but at the same time, this is what happens in real life now too. And it's "normal". If we want to teach kids today what love and effort in relationships or marriage is, there should be films that actually teach that. Something hip that kids would actually want to watch. It's not the end all cure all of course, but it would certainly help. We live in the age of technology now where TV and computers are surrogate parents, so people should really make an effort to help teach through there.

I just can't have respect for movies that deliver that crap.

A deaf dance instructor and an unhappy soon-to-be-married teacher get it on on the dance floor.

[ltlacey · 7/10 · 23 January 2010]

Okay, so the acting is not that great and the plot is as predictable as the sun coming up every morning, but if you really want to see some superb swing dancing (though not by the main characters) then this movie is worth your time. Zane and Smart play 2 people soon to be married, but he's an Uber workaholic who does not appreciate (or even truly love?) his fiancée (she teaches middle school English classes), and we just want her to dump him, and toot sweet. Our hero is an ex-swing dance champion, now a dance teacher, and just happens to be deaf. Explaining how a deaf person can still dance to the beat of the music was explained nicely in this film, and for that I gave it a few more points. But what really makes this film is not the main stars or even the supporting cast and their various personas, but the professional dancers hired as contestants for competitions and showcases. The ending competition was well worth the wait, and something worth watching over again. Totally amazing. So put on your dance shoes and give this one a whirl.

Terrible movie... the worst movie of the year

[ladyshana · 1/10 · 10 October 2009]

I have been dancing for about 10 years now (salsa). For a new dancer like the main actress, all world becomes about dancing at the beginning. All great dancers look awesome and people who don't know how to dance or how don't get interested in it look terrible and boring. ... that's very typical symptom.

Dancing is a small part of many life elements. This story line is so typical. Her fiancé looks very nice and she complains about his attitude (being workaholic) but in fact, her mind already leaves to another man. She needs to see herself straight and be sorry for him.

The fiancé didn't do anything wrong!

It's a boring movie. The dancers are not even very good.

an uplifting film about finding courage to triumph over one's disability

[pstuart-4 · 10/10 · 11 May 2009]

While I am not a movie critic, I realize (and appreciate) the themes which director Robert Iscove and writer Tom Malloy highlight in this movie. Rarely do theatrical releases emphasize the important theme of "ability" versus "disability" that this movie does so well. Love N' Dancing is not just a film about someone who is hearing-impaired finding love and acceptance, but it highlights a theme important to life: accepting our own limitations and then finding the courage to triumph over them. Sometimes you need someone else to help you realize that you have more courage and determination than you give yourself credit for. With these qualities, you are able to harness the power within to challenge, and eventually overcome, the face of adversity. These themes are central to the Love N' Dancing story, and they complement a new style of dancing unfamiliar to most Americans.

In this movie, the adversity is a hearing loss. To provide an obstacle for our main hero and heroine, Malloy introduces a character we love to hate: one who represents those kinds of people you encounter who are usually negative in life and actually prevent you from achieving high self-esteem and self-confidence, which are qualities that are so important in realizing your dreams.

Most "relationship" movies don't emphasize this "ability" theme as well as this movie does. For these reasons, I loved Love N' Dancing and the important life messages it conveys to the viewer. I urge you to see the movie with this philosophical understanding, and you may never look at a "disabled" person in the same way again!

very funny!

[hudelpunne · 3/10 · 17 September 2012]

forget the story (this kind of plot was filmed a thousand times before), forget the dancing (those who watch the movie because of it will judge by different parameters than I do), forget the lame camera-work and generic music - this is about dialogue and acting! I am actually thinking, the whole film is a parody about how special interest movies are made. the guy is deaf, but a dancer. so far so good. his former girlfriend is trying to win him back in a hilariously overacted 40's-femme-fatale-manner, while both of them look as imbecile as it gets. amy smart is admittedly a much nicer sight, but she peaks the top of her acting abilities with her performance of a stressed teacher (the students seem nice though, albeit a bit bored, which is understandable) having kind of an inner outbreak in the classroom, screaming and nearly dancing at the same time. I nearly fell off the sofa at that point. and when she came into the club, saying "wow, I can feel the energy!", I actually did. billy zane's stammering and overacting was also annoying and entertaining at the same time; like everybody else he was obviously left totally on his own (and to the unwillingly funny script) by the director, who seemed to have put all his efforts into the dancing scenes, and left the rest of the movie to his friends and family. not a very wise decision, if you ask me. so: one star for the dancing, one for the funny moments (if not on purpose), and one for the chuzpe to call this thing a movie. three altogether, and that's more than fair.

A Smart Dance Movie

[tabuno · 8/10 · 17 January 2019]

24 March 2013. While not in the same league as Black Swan (2010) or The Artist (2011), this predictable romantic dance drama incorporates elements from Shall We Dance? (1996, remade 2004) that make this movie an entertaining piece. It even provides a more fascinating experiential look at dancing that The Cutting Edge (1992) which parallels the storyline with ice skating but which that movie seemed to omit the thrill of the skating competition itself. Avoiding the more exaggerated and melodramatic impression from Dirty Dancing (1987), Love N'Dancing restrains the story in a way to make it even more believable that art films evoke even while it retains a more mainstream entertainment impact like The Cutting Edge. This movie doesn't quite break out in its stylish, innovative presentation like Music and Lyrics (2007), but it has its own charm, especially a rather nice ending sequence that is somewhat unusual but satisfying in its approach to tying up loose ends.

I loved it !

[vjconforte · 9/10 · 10 June 2009]

I'm anticipating the release of this film so friends can enjoy it as much as I did.

I had the pleasure of viewing it at the Phoenix Film Festival and the house was packed. To our surprise Mr Zane and Mr Malloy along with other cast members flew in for the screening. We've all seen these types of films before, but they never cease to keep us in our seats. This film focusing on West Coast Swing dancing competition and a dancer with a hearing disability, Wow! The film is inspirational to say the least and showcased many brilliant dancers.

It was clearly evident that the film was a big hit with the ovation given at the conclusion of the film.

I would also like to make note of the cast staying around for close to an hour after the film answering various questions on this film, independent films in general, and how to get into the business.

If you're looking for a feel good movie with great music, acting, and dancing, don't miss it.

Great dancers, very likable characters

[morrisonhimself · 9/10 · 20 January 2012]

MoviePlex is a generally blah movie channel (especially since it dropped its Western Wednesdays) but occasionally it brings us a little or little-known film that just grabs a viewer's heart and won't let go.

This movie is one of those.

Its cast of mostly unknowns (I think Billy Zane is the only one I had heard of) are not only astonishingly talented, but the characters they play are very likable and even compelling. There are some stereotypes, but they just add to the fun.

They are also mostly extremely attractive, either as physical specimens or as characters. Nicola Royston, for one, is just eye-poppingly and exotically beautiful -- and has made apparently only one movie. (What is the matter with the world's casting directors?)

Even the film's closest-to-villainous characters are likable and good-looking. One man who ignores his intended and pays more attention to business is one of them, but he is to be pitied, not censured.

Look especially for Rachel Dratch, of whom probably I should have known, but this was my first look. She is absolutely adorable, and in her last scene, she steals it. Watch her face. Marvelous!

The music is not even close to being what I would ordinarily listen to, but as setting for the dances, it was something even I liked. Some of the choreography is less than perfect, but the dancers are so good, so watchable, so graceful and athletic, any flaws (which might be subjective, anyway) are totally unimportant.

In short, this is one excellent movie, one I've already watched twice, and one I highly recommend to any person who likes dance, who likes "damn nice" people (to quote one character's assessment of some of his dance rivals), and who appreciates top-of-the-line talent.

This movie is now available on YouTube.

Great music, dancing and love story

[mollidew · 8/10 · 27 October 2010]

I have seen some discrepancies on the storyline stated here. I have watched this movie many times but Amy Smart's character said she took ballet between 4 and 12 years of age. I don't remember her stating she had Broadway aspirations. The movie does speak loudly about disabilities and if you buy the movie you find out that one of the dancers is deaf. Tom Malloy mentions it in the commentary he does with Amy Smart on the DVD.

This was an independent movie that almost went belly up and I have to say they did a really good job. It isn't about what type of dancing is better than another but about this man who rises above it all due to his disability to become a successful dance instructor and competitor. This in no way is a chick flick. There were too many males dedicated to the making of this movie. Many who compete and love this type of dancing. This story is not like any movie I have ever seen before other than it is about dancing.

It was about life. A couple are planning to marry and Amy's character wants to learn to dance for her wedding after she see's Tom Malloy's character dance where she teaches. Billy Zane's character is married to his job. Through this experience they come to find out they aren't right for each other. Tom's character and Amy's fall in love. That of course was expected and I would suppose most expected them to win the competition. Basically what they stated is they knew they weren't good enough to win a competition like that but it was that their characters tried and they won later.

Tom Malloy and Amy Smart should be commended since they actually did most of the dancing in the movie and usually when their doubles came it was to do some of the lifts. They spent hours on end perfecting their dancing. Billy Zane is hilarious in this movie and a lot of his dialog was ad libbed.

There were friends and family in the movie and this is pointed out in the commentary. This is one thing I prefer about owning the DVD to just watching the movie. It gives great insight to the making of the film and the amount of effort it took and why they did scenes the way they did. I loved it from the first sitting because it isn't violent, bloody, or full of foul language. It is just a good movie without all the shock value that is so prevalent these days.

Funny with awesome dance numbers

[steel_indigo · 8/10 · 21 January 2013]

It is clear that most who reviewed this film know very little about the type of dancing in this movie. No this particular story or dance has not been shown in any movie in quite this way. The movie is based a lot on actual experiences the writer had which was Tom Malloy who portrayed the deaf dancing teacher. Therefore they used real competition dancers throughout the movie. Many of the professional dancers played various parts in different dance numbers and these were the best of the best. Tom Malloy got the idea concerning his character learning there were actual deaf dancers like this and most do turn off their hearing aids while they are dancing as he showed.

Many scenes were taken from real life experiences or one's the author was told about like Billy Zane's bag dance which is done at some weddings. There is no major plot except the life of competition dancing for those who do West Coast Swing and the budding romance of the main two characters. Props are not allowed in this type of competition but since it was a film they took some liberties. All of the main dancers are award winning dancers. Nicola Royston is the wife of the man who did the MC part, Robert Royston. He is considered the best West Coast Swing Dancer in the world and she had done stage acting previously. So that was a treat.

This was an Indie film and they struggled even getting the funds to make it and considering who was in it and behind it they did something wonderful. The film was supposed to be where the skyline showed. The fact they filmed much of it in NM isn't relevant. It wasn't a mistake. I absolutely love this film, it is unique. The director actually had a dance background even though he is known for other types of things. Billy Zane was hilarious and did a lot of ad-libs throughout the movie.

Tom Malloy and Amy Smart do almost all their own dancing. He had nine years in West Coast Swing dancing and she actually did have a ballet background from 4 to 14 and after that jazz dancing but not this type. It was only at the end they added in doubles to help the look of the last dance in the competition. Malloy didn't know until they went to film and was a little miffed but it got sorted out. Therefore part of it is Tom and Amy and some the doubles. You see them sitting in the audience earlier in the movie. They are the two sitting where the man tells the woman that Tom's character is deaf. There are parts that removed cues that he was deaf because they went from a long short to close up. As for the phone, his phone may have figuratively had an amplifier in it so he could hear with his hearing aids. Being declared deaf doesn't necessarily mean that one cannot hear. Some hear certain things and not others and some are stone cold deaf. His character was not born deaf nor was all his hearing gone but enough to be declared deaf. He only stated how he knew what the kids were saying. He did not go into any other aspect of the character's hearing or any fixes he had concerning it.

All in all if you know what the movie is about it did what it was designed to do. Some may know Tom Malloy from other films. He was the writer, and producer of the movie The Alphabet Killer and also had an acting part. He also actually does motivational speaking. Get a DVD and listen to the background behind this movie. Love N' Dancing is one of my favorites and I have watched it many times. If you don't like the feel good type of movie that is musical then this wouldn't be your cup of tea, but it is clever and a very entertaining film.