Stepping Out (1991)

Simply Perfect

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Overrated

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

I wanted to like "Stepping Out" for its heart and to cheer for the underdogs in the story, members of a Buffalo, N.Y. tap-dancing class who are catapulted onto the stage as part of a big charity event, along with other acts featuring professional dancers. A cursory search reveals that the original play was a hit in London's West End, but a flop on Broadway. The original took place in London. This kind of film has been done before, usually in a sports setting, in films such as the superb "Hoosiers" and "Breaking Away".I'd watch Liza Minnelli in anything, but she doesn't convince me that she's a washed-up Broadway hoofer giving tap classes in a rundown church hall and, with her voice and charisma, a blue-collar bar crooner performing sets with her guitar-playing boy friend. Anyway, niggling aside, here she is, so she's given a couple of musical numbers, one a solo spot in the empty church hall with the stained-glass windows ablaze with colour and a spotlight shining down on her from above. There are two films here. One is a Liza Minnelli showcase. The other is the underdog story: a group of amateur dancers with two left feet get their big chance to strut their stuff, and in the process, learn something about themselves. The problem, for me, is that everyone's a "type". There's Ms. Obssessive Compulsive who will prove that she's just folks, after all; there's Mr. Clumsy Nerd, the only male in the class, picked on by the women, who will finally prove that he's a man; there's Ms. Mouse, and so on. Liza, I must say, is game in this ensemble cast. There's a scene stealer at work, here, and that's Shelley Winters, who is both hilarious and touching as the group's long-suffering piano-player. The long-awaited Big Night performance by the troupe itself is fun and strikes the right balance between being quite good and endearingly goofy.

I know this went to video in the UK VERY quickly. Why? Because I must have rented it more than 50 times from my local video store when I was in the RAF.Initially I was renting it as a Julie Walters fan (of stuff like Personal Services, Just Like A WOman) and I enjoyed it. Probably a lot more than I should have done.But then again tell me it's got women in tight shiny Lycra and heck I'll watch it. Julie gives a brilliant performance and does look very nice. Most of the ladies do in fact.Liza looks amazing (I told you I was probably watching it for all the wrong reasons!) and plays her role predictably enough. Shelley Winters brings a lot to a role that hasn't got much to do.I adore Maxine (and then I found out she was Audrey in "Little Shop Of Horrors" and that was why, I loved her in that too!). Canada makes a pretty convincing New York and the film is not too sappy in it's feel good role to be over sweet.Liza has her horrible guy, but then everyone in the group seems to have some problem or another in their lives so there's going to be at least one of them you can sort of relate to.Obviously it all works out well in the end and it's more than good enough to hold up to several viewings. It's amazing that it's never been released on DVD (I'd buy it in a heartbeat) and I'm watching it again today as they showed on UK TV.Generally its a very good movie that so many haven't heard of and it gets overlooked when it really shouldn't. You don't need to be a dance fan to enjoy this film. Heck, I'm a straight guy who isn't much for dancing but I love it and enjoy it every time I watch it.Well worth a look if you haven't seen it before.

I gave this little movie a 6 out 10 possible points as it does have some great tapping dancing and there are some interesting moments when the plot comes together but unfortunately this doesn't happen enough nor can the dancing alone carry this picture completely. I would recommend watching Stepping Out at least once maybe even twice. Liza Minnelli is good, her supporting cast is fair, the usual assortment of different characters that have their ups and downs with each other and Liza. I liked the ending, which I won't give away but I'll bet you will be able to guess after the first 15 minutes of the film. Try watching this film it worth that if not a little more. It is hard to buy, not on DVD and I bought a used VHS, must be out of print.Andy

Stepping Out isn't commonly spoken of nowadays, which is a shame as the film is a brilliant combination of Shelley Winters' comedy, Liza Minnelli's stamina and voice and superb performances by the 'Mavis Turner Tappers'. The story is inspiring as a group of amateur tap dancers try to make it to the top, and I watch it whenever I feel depressed - It raises your spirits and confidence.