I suppose dance movies are nothing new. I love The Red Shoes from 1948, Singin’ in the Rain from 1952, and Footloose from 1983. I’m no dancer, but I love seeing other people dance.
I just took a peek at a Fifty Best Dance Movies list, and I’ve seen almost all of them!
Lately, dance movies aren’t necessarily family friendly. I remember whatever adult took a bunch of us little girls to Fame was mortified when Coco’s top came off. Not that every movie about dance has to be kid-friendly, but it is nice to share a movie with your favorite tiny dancer.
I just watched a preview of the new movie HIGH STRUNG in order to bring you this post. I’m receiving compensation for my time, but I’m not required to have any particular opinion of the movie. All opinions are my own.
High Strung opens in cinemas on April 8th. The movie is a project from soap star and 80s singer Michael Damian, and his wife, a former Solid Gold dancer.
High Strung is the story of Ruby, a new student at a dance college in Manhattan, and Johnnie, an English violinist in the US on an expired visa.
From a “high art” point of view, the film is nothing new or special. But, I really enjoyed this film, even with all its standard tropes and simplistic characters. Mean Girl? Check! Demanding dance teacher who is tough on the lead, but brings out the best in her? Check!
The characters are paper thin, redeemed by the strong dance and music performances. The performances were just plain fun. I liked the attempt at uniting contemporary and classical performances. Also, Manhattan is practically a credited co-star here. Loved seeing the city featured so strongly.
The lead, Ruby, is professional dancer Keenan Kampa. She’s really amazing, and I hope to see her in other projects. She’s like a Blake Lively you could see yourself being friends with.
I enjoyed seeing famous faces in secondary roles. The ever-lovely Jane Seymour is a dance professor, as is Paul Freeman, who you might recognize as Belloq from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
High Strung is a fun performance movie to share with the whole family.
About HighStrung:
In a city where only the best succeed, two radically talented people from opposite sides of the tracks need to find harmony to achieve their dreams.
RUBY ADAMS is a dancer from the Midwest on scholarship, living her first day in New York City. JOHNNIE BLACKWELL is a British musician, playing for money in the subway tunnels.
Ruby’s world is classical and disciplined; Johnnie’s is improvisational and street smart. When a hip-hop battle gone wrong throws these two artists together, they immediately clash but can’t deny it when sparks begin to fly.
Their lives quickly get entangled in the pitfalls that come with competing in New York City. With the help of a dynamic dance crew called The SwitchSteps, Ruby and Johnnie must find a way to save Ruby’s scholarship and keep Johnnie from being deported.
In an action-packed extravaganza combining cutting edge hip-hop with contemporary and classical dance, the two must navigate their opposing worlds and prepare for a competition where winning or losing will change their lives forever.
High Strung opens in theaters on April 8th. You can find a list of theaters on High Strung the Movie.
