Five Dances

I was expecting a standard gay film and was quite surprised. This film is primarily about dance. The four performers are all superb dancers, and their dances are the main focus of the film, reflecting (to a degree) their relationships with one another and others in their lives (who are never seen). The main character is Chip, a somewhat naive 18-year-old Kansan, trying to cope in New York City without appearing too vulnerable. I did find it strange that these four dancers (and their choreographer) had very little personal or verbal interaction for most of the film; indeed, it wasn't until toward the end that they seemed to actually know one another. Chip's intimate relationship with the other male dancer is handled tenderly and realistically, but their story is secondary to the love and dedication all the characters have for their art.

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.

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.

It is a more a dance movie than an lgbt story. I liked that the film centered on dance and the rest of the relations was floating in the background such as life.

But i am also feeling a little bit disappointed that the story didn't flourish enough around the dances. Choreography is great and I would like to see it serve the film better. Especially through to the end of the movie, the scenes were warm.