Adam Arkin, Camryn Manheim, Danny DeVito

Frank Keane has been consumed by grief over his wife's death. When fate intervenes, he pulls over to help a stranger in a car wreck. The man, near death, begs Frank to fulfill a promise made 40 years ...( read more  read more... )ago that he would meet his childhood sweetheart at Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School where they first met as kids. Frank attempts to deliver the man's regrets, but instead meets his own destiny when he encounters Meredith and the invigorating world of dance, which opens his heart to find love again.

Flixster Users

61% liked it

4,184 ratings

Critics

22% liked it

59 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 43 min.

Directed by: Randall Miller

Release Date: March 31, 2006

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DVD Release Date: July 4, 2006

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Stats: 256 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (256)


  • September 20, 2009
    Totally cute and funny.
  • March 1, 2008
    Stars for having such a great cast. John Goodman plays a memorable character, and it has Ernie Hudson so you know you want some.
  • September 15, 2007
    Though certainly not about a new and unique topic in entertainment, this film presents a multi-dimensional perspective about experiences that we all, as human beings, can relate. The films unique approach, and the actors sometimes subtle, sometimes dramatic execution causes a myr...( read more)iad of emotions to surface during the development of the plot. The film provoked reflection in the audience by asking questions and allowing this moviegoer to connect many life experiences to the film. So many movies today are developed for entertainment purposes only, usually either through special effects or dark, dismal shock factor. This film differentiated itself by not wrapping everything up in a pretty little package, leaving room for discussion and interpretation. There's a great supporting cast of zany characters that will have you laughing at their antics as girl tries to snare boy on the ballroom dance floor. The shenanigans are lead by the wondering Mary Steenburgen, who shows such great poise and gentility as Miss Marienne Hotchkiss, carrying on the tradition of her long departed mother Marylyn. Another outstanding performance was by Donnie Wahlberg, as the overly overprotective step-brother to Meredith, Randall Ipswitch, who has a passion for ballroom dancing and domestic violence. It is his life. Donnie has become a fantastic character actor and deserves much more credit than he gets. Randall Miller has done a remarkable job of telling a story filled with meaningful insight and compassionate charm.
  • September 1, 2008
    Great movie. Good story plot that follows a grieving baker who connects with a total stranger's story about ballroom dancing. Great cast. Definitely worthy.
  • March 25, 2007
    There's just something about ballroom dancing films, when they're done right they're so good (see also Strictly Ballroom and the Japanese version of Shall We Dance).
  • July 20, 2009
    WEiRD!!!...but ok i guess...depressing kinda
  • July 2, 2009
    This movie pops into my head every time I think of te word "cute." I adore it! But it is quite sad how the lady forgets about the boy...
  • June 23, 2009
    (2006 Director: Randall Miller) Frank Keane (Medium) is a somewhat shy widower who is trying to get back into circulation and on someone's advice decides to try ballroom dancing where he meets Marissa Tome who portrays a battered girlfriend who finds her calm in ballroom dancing.
  • March 10, 2009
    A tragedy nicely seen through the eyes of romance. Takes you on a journey through the eyes of a man that has held onto a promise long forgotten by whom he made it to, but experienced by a stranger who lends him an ear as well as his own promise.
  • March 7, 2009
    A very nice movie with a great message.

Critic Reviews


April 21, 2006
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The picture trivializes the characters, hinting at depths it can't depict, aiming at a profundity of feeling it can't begin to reach. full review

April 7, 2006
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

While it's at times too melodramatic and formulaic to be entirely successful, it still holds some appeal; its very amateurishness is what makes it charming. full review

April 6, 2006
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Think about this. You liked a schoolmate when you were 8, and for 40 years have focused on this reunion. Are you crazy? full review

April 6, 2006
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Wildly inconsistent in tone and point of view, torn between grim and sitcom-silly acting styles, slathered with a frosting of pop-psych self-help clichés, it's the film equivalent of the jarring car c... full review

View more Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing & Charm School reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • chary12
    September 9, 2006
    I liked it and felt identified as I am taking salsa classes and african dance clases, and the theme is good.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing & Charm School Trivia

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