Five Dances

Five Dances (2013) was written and directed by Alan Brown. This is a movie you see for the dancing, not the plot. Ryan Steele plays Chip Daniel, an extraordinarily gifted dancer, who has just arrived in NYC from Kansas.

He's ready for the professional demands of dancing, but nothing else is working out for him. He has no money, no place to live, and no friends. His mother calls him endlessly demanding that he return, and telling him, "I know what you're doing there."

Returning to Kansas is out of the question. However, Chip is going to need help to survive in New York so that he can do what he does better than anyone else--dance.

Chip's encounters with the company choreographer and with the other dancers make up the plot. However, in a sense, the plot gets in the way of the dance sequences. My suggestion--don't worry about the plot; see this film for the dancing.

We saw this movie at the Little Theatre as part of Image Out--the Rochester LGBT Film Festival. It probably works better on a large screen, but it's worth seeking out and watching on video if that's the only available option.

I enjoyed this simple story about the intimacy and vulnerability that is experienced between a group of dancers (or any group of artists, for that matter). The main character was a gentle and torn soul. The cast did not appear to be professional actors, but delivered genuine performances. I found the soundtrack to be gorgeous (loved the Perfume Genius track)and well chosen. The cinematography was be impressive, though there was some strange editing, at times. An overall nice, sweet, and enjoyable film. My only gripe, and it's a small one, was that most all of the cast seemed to be on the verge of tears. This seemed to be a bit one-dimensional, but the mood shifted in the latter part of the film.

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and touching queer movies of the 2010s. The acting and dancing is absolutely top-notch. I honestly did not expect such a wonderful gem of a film.

Acting is a bit weak, but OMG......the two male dancers have wonderful modern dance technique and the choreographer's style showcased them in a masculine, yet pretty, lyrical style. The ending duet is compelling to watch and demonstrates the type of artistry that is possible when commercial TV is not influencing the overall choreography. Dance doesn't have to be all about splash and flash going a million miles an hour in order to be captivating and tastefully done. These two dudes have mastered the demands of the choreography and the beauty of their physical lines should be compelling to watch for anyone who appreciates the beautiful line of a dancer's body.

Being a dancer myself, I loved the fact that the film was centred around that theme, without needing to build a deep plot line. It told a story within itself. At times, it conveyed the characters' emotions possibly more than words could, it just fit, especially the piece nearer the end between Chip and Theo. I found it beautiful and emotional.

I also really empathised for Cynthia when she's crying in her bathroom and we can hear her husband's voice in the background.

I'm not sure what Chip's mum added to the storyline, perhaps it could have been replaced with more of a story line between the two men.

The music was evocative at times, some I didn't like completely, I liked it when we just heard the dancers' breath and even when it was silent.

Overall, it was a really enjoyable film, really emotional and it was brilliant when Chip started to connect with everyone else.