Swing Into Romance

I dvr this movie and watched it today. This is a very good movie. As usual Danica is always at her best. Her partner did a very good job. I enjoyed this movie because it wasn't the typical cookie cutter movie. The movie kept you on your toes and never sure how it will end. The DEWTS dancer was a good addition. And brought a little completion to the lead. Glen did a nice job. And the dancing was excellent my Danica with Gleb The surrounding cast were very additions with their limited roles. The young girl was cute in her role. No over acting.

I hope GAC continues with plots that are not your typical HM This had nice interaction between the two leads Also a little bit sexy dancing.

I highly recommend this movie.

I like everything about this movie except for two things: way way too much artificial leaves, garland, wreaths etc. And yes, bulbs are planted in the fall, but not flowers like they were planting. Loved the dancing scenes. Danica McKellar is a very talented actress. Also, not impressed that the parents are playing go fish? I would think they would have played a game that required some mental exercise such as Cribbage or Mahjong. Some trivia regarding Danica, early in her acting career on the Wonder Years, she gave an excellent performance when her brother is drafted to serve in Viet Nam, and then is killed in action. Sobering episode.

Danica Mckellar sure looks great and not just for her age. I have to hand it to her even though I'm not usually a huge fan of her perpetually worried expression. David Hayden Jones, even though younger than her, looked a little creaky in comparison, but that could have been his role.

The story was a little creaky as well. Former professional circuit dancer Danica returns home for a visit on her way to a great job in Seattle. She learns that her parents' general store is in trouble due to an upcoming increase in the rent. She is determined to "save" the store even though the store doesn't really look like it wants to be saved. Very sparse in the merchandise department which is carefully arranged and covered with fallish decor to disguise the lack of products on the shelves. Her parents don't seem all that desperate to keep the store open either. They were probably looking forward to retirement. But Danica cannot be stopped. She is going to enter a dance contest to win the prize money which will save the store. Single Widower David H-J ends up being her partner and love ensues. Can rejection of her great city career and embrace of small town life be far behind?

The infinity long garlands of leaves used in last week's movie have made their way over to this one. And what with being moved from farm to store to dance studio to bank to two homes to the auditorium of the contest, they are looking a little tired. I love stories with continuing characters and am looking forward to meeting them again in next week's "Fall into Autumn" offering.

This movie was heartwarming and relaxing even though it was a "swing" movie! Contains multi-generational family member issues and the internal struggles while moving through life's journey to resolve. Acting was top notch for all cast. "Taylor" added to the heartwarming aspect of this movie as she is an adorable girl that is all warmth, cuteness and fun wrapped into one character, I am inspired to get my dancing shoes on and work through the physical demands of "swing" after watching this movie. Once again, well picked choice for Bill Abbott and his team. So grateful for something decent and worthwhile once again from the hard working, clean and respectable writing and directing teams who create inspiring and educational movies.

6.3 stars.

I like both lead actors, but this film is primarily about an adept female dancer (McKellar) as she attempts to teach a deconditioned man to swing dance for a contest. Her family needs her to win the contest to save the family store. She used to be a professional dancer and won many competitions years ago, but had a falling out with her previous Russian dance partner, and subsequently gave up dancing. She eventually went into finance. The lead male was a decent dancer when he was a young boy, but apparently hasn't danced in decades. He is an accountant.

Whereas she was a professional, he was barely an amateur. As the two of them are practicing, it's quite obvious that he has two left feet and there is no way a man of his low caliber could win a contest at this level. He is also overweight and fairly clumsy. It's somewhat of a farce and inconceivable to imagine them winning. This would be like Bradley Cooper's character winning in 'Silver Linings Playbook'. We all know he has no chance, but Cooper was somewhat lithe, and at least they made it interesting with the side bet on the NFL game. 'Swing Into Romance' has no such excitement.

Unfortunately, where the romance lacks, the dancing doesn't make up the difference. Something is missing and I can only guess that it's a lack of chemistry. This movie fell flat and it's an outlier in that respect, because almost every GAF, UP, Hallmark movie between 6.7 and 6.9 stars is amazing. If I want to watch a movie only for dance I'll watch 'Step Up' or 'Dirty Dancing'. I'm looking for an original family movie with dance AND romance and 'Swing Into Romance' should be called 'Swing into'.