Rating of
3/4
Thoughtful
Franz Patrick - wrote on 09/20/08
I enjoyed this movie quite a bit even though I’m not much into dancing because it’s a deceptively typical coming of age film. While we get some of the familiar set-up that involves interracial relationships and being a minority in a predominantly black neighborhood, the picture is able to focus on all of those issues and comment on them in a thoughful way. There’s a brilliant scene with Julia Stiles and Kerry Washington while they wait in the doctor’s waiting room. Even though what Washington tells Stiles hurts, in a way it’s very true. Moments like that makes this film above average and worth watching. With most movies, I have a problem whenever there’s too many characters because focus is mostly sacrificed. I didn’t have a problem with this one because each character or side-story is interesting and worth analyzing. Lastly, I’m glad that the film had the time to tackle the issue of achieving someone’s dreams even though it’s a familiar territory. I thought the final big dance scene is inspiring and made me feel like I, too, could reach my dreams if I just work hard enough.
