Movie #278 ........................."Mrs. Hotchkiss' ballroom Dancing and Charm School"

Movie #278 "Mrs. Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School" was a charming study on how dance can bring people out of grief. Evidently, this movie was originally a short film with the actor Elden Henson playing the part of Steve, and then in the 2005 production, he is playing a friend of Paul Carlyle. Cool, idea there, and really well done overall. And I have never been disappointed yet with a Marissa Tomei performance --- once again, she's great. And Paul Carlyle (from "Full Monty") plays such a gamut here ---- excellent actor, as are all the supporting people here --- the cast is stellar, for such a nonbudget independent film. I can also say, as many movies as I have seen, the frame work here was very original, so maybe you want to see it for just that! But it does use the back and forth method of telling the story --- black and white from 1962, and color for now. I totally was drawn into the 1962 world because the narrator was my age talking about a charm school he was forced to attend. Ah, the memories!!





DONNA's rating: 4.0 stars
Average of 140,781 ratings: 3.4 stars
Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School
2005PG-13104 minutes
Writer-director Randall Miller's heart-achingly sweet drama centers on the unsatisfying personal life of protagonist Frank Keane (Robert Carlyle), a sensitive baker who remains deeply despondent over his late wife's untimely death. When Frank helps a stranger (John Goodman) who's sidelined by a fatal accident on his way to a fateful reunion, he decides to show up for the rendezvous in the man's place. In the process, he finds hope and redemption.

Cast:Robert Carlyle, Marisa Tomei, Mary Steenburgen, Sean Astin, Donnie Wahlberg, David Paymer, Camryn Manheim, Adam Arkin, Sonia Braga, Elden Henson, Ernie Hudson, Miguel Sandoval, Danny DeVito, John GoodmanDirector:Randall MillerGenres:Drama, Romantic Comedies, Indie Comedies, Indie Romance, Sony Pictures Home EntertainmentThis movie is:Feel-good, Romantic, Sentimental, Inspiring, EmotionalFormat:DVD and streaming (HD available)