Feel the Beat

Follows a typical formula: snotty princess goes down to her roots, discovers meaning through helping others, and finds love by foregoing the fast track to success.

In this case though the snotty princess is legitimately talented, focused and career driven, strict but realistic. She makes a compelling and original lead.

The "finding meaning through helping others" part is fairly predictable but also well developed with likeable supporting cast and charismatic and talented child actors as her dance class students.

The "finding love" part is very predictable, but there is chemistry between the leads, and they play off each other well. The backstory with the breakup by text is funny.

Many of the subplots are also well developed and the side characters are funny too. I like that the whole town supports the dance class and the dads learn the dance routines with the kids.

Overall a familiar plot with a very good cast and some surprising moments of insight, humor, as well as wry humor and realism about success in the talent industry.

I enjoyed this family film a lot. The running time is close to two hours but it goes by fast. The movie has many dance scenes but they could be more fully fledged.