MARILYN HOTCHKISS' BALLROOM DANCING & CHARM SCHOOL (2005)

Directed by: Randall Miller

Starring: Marisa Tomei, Robert Carlyle, John Goodman, Danny DeVito, Sean Astin, Mary Steenburgen, Adam Arkin, David Paymer, Donnie Wahlberg, Sonia Braga, Elden Henson, Camryn Manheim, Ernie Hudson, Miguel Sandoval, David St. James, Teresa Johnston, Kelley Parker, Michael Bower, Chance Michael Corbitt, Josh Horowitz, Maria Parkinson, Octavia Spencer, Ian Abercrombie, Dawn Balkin, Maggie Baird, Mary Pat Gleason, Destiny Edmond, Kate Mulligan, Patricia Fraser, Tom Dahlgren

103 minutes

(PG-13 - adult language, adult themes, adult situations)

PLOT:

Dance is a very powerful drug, if embraced judiciously; to reap its rewards, one must shoulder its challenges with intrepid countenance. Frank Keene, a grieving baker in a near catatonic state, happens on a car accident. The loquacious and insightful victim, Steve Mills, is on his way to an appointment in Pasadena with a years-ago acquaintance; he asks Frank to go in his place. It's a dance class. Frank goes, to find Steve's friend. The story moves back and forth among Steve's childhood, the scene of the accident, and the aftermath of Frank's first Lindy hop. Black eyes, group therapy, loneliness, boys being boys, roads not taken, and saying good-bye color the story.

TRAILER: