Mad Hot Ballroom (2005)

Wonderful Movie

Great Film overall

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

In 1994, ballroom dancing was introduced to 5th graders in the New York area. There are thousands of public school kids trying to enter into the annual competition between the schools. These kids come from varying backgrounds. Some have heart-breaking stories as they find discipline and comfort in their new interest. The most compelling parts of this documentary are the snippets of personal opinions coming from the kids. The major problem is there are so many kids that it's hard to keep track of them. The film would do well to limit the number of kids and spend more time with them at home. The kids dancing is cute and compelling. Those little interviews are what make the film sings.

The way the movie sets up reminds me of my ballroom dance days in college, where you take a lot of ballroom dance classes leading up to the college's own dance competition. So, here are some public school teachers in New York, dealing with K-8 students as they teach them ballroom dancing. Some of the K-8 students are, obviously, latch-key kids who are having rude attitudes and antisocial behavior, as those teachers take those young students on a journey to what competitive ballroom dancing is like. At the end of the movie, these young dance sport competitors realize that if you can succeed in dance sport, you can succeed in other areas of life, way, way from the dance floor.It is almost amazing as the teachers teach them the waltz, merengue, swing, tango, rumba, and foxtrot.The flick reminded me of "Music From The Heart" featuring Meryl Streep, because in this big project, New York public school teachers and students wanted something that would make those who slashed funding for the arts in public schools take a second look at ballroom dancing as probably equally better as music to help them increase their grades in school courses not related to ballroom dancing.I strongly focused on one of the competitors named Tara, who joined in a group of student competitors called the "Green Team". Tara was almost like me, because as a ballroom dancer myself, I love to give it my all on the dance floor. Therefore, Tara was immediately believable in character. I followed Tara all the way in one of the local dance competitions where she shined in her favorite dance--the swing. She wails, she rocks, she shimmies her way in the first round of competition and she gets one of the level trophies. Then all of this ballroom bliss turns to shock for Tara when she finds out that she was not picked for the semifinal round. I see Tara's disappointment as she cries as if she lost her favorite friend. Later, I realized that her overconfidence in her dance skills was probably why she did not make the semifinals.But as the finals came in, the movie became better and better. I can reminiscence the days when the 1990s had two good periods--the rebirth of salsa and the swing. Especially when the swing number "Hot Line" ("706-6655") by the Jet Set Six, caused both the competitors and even spectators to excite themselves. There were two good merengues also that made me get off the chair and dance.Then I focused on the bald-headed guy who was for the Indigo Team when the team competed against the Green Team for the Challenge Trophy. Another believable character too, as he shined especially in the Latin dances, especially the merengue.The biggest tension came when the emcee said "...There is no third-place, there is no second-place; there can be only one Challenge Trophy". As the Indigo Team was announced as the winner for the trophy, it was almost like a madhouse as the bald guy is surrounded by the victorious mob, as if the team won the state high school basketball championship, even though it is not a basketball championship game--just a dance sport event. You see the Green Team members frozen in shock, and in disgust.Then the Indigo Team guy shows the greatest sigh of relief as he holds the trophy. That ending of the movie shows perhaps the greatest innocence---that which New York needed after being terrorized by the 9-11 attacks.That is why "Mad Hot Ballroom" is a great hit. "Mad Hot Ballroom" is is not just for fans of "Shall We Dance?"--whether in the Japanese version or the new twist on the flick featuring Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez. "Mad Hot Ballroom" is for the ballroom dancer in all of us! This is very great, and that is why I adore this movie highly.

As I was watching this wonderful film, I couldn't help thinking that it was the first, truly positive and inspiring documentary that I had seen in a very long time. The dedication and enthusiasm of the teachers was particularly wonderful. These are people who are completely invested in these children and it was a privilege to see them. Highly recommended film. It was also extremely encouraging to hear the evaluation of one of the principals who noted that, without the ballroom dancing program, one young man quite likely would've gone on to a life of crime but - instead - had demonstrated leadership qualities (and, I believe, went on to win the contest);another young lady, who had been having discipline problems, had become well-behaved and problem-free, largely because of this program.This is an inspiring film and well worth watching.

This movie was great! I grew up in Harlem, New York and I loved the programs the schools offer to children. I recommended this movie for the entire family to watch. This movie was very positive and as well as inspiring! If you have children that are not excelling in other areas this kind of program will help them. The teachers and dance instructor's were wonderful with these children. The children in the movie were excellent in expressing their views on school and personal issues. I have taken this movie to my job to show the residents there. Everyone enjoyed it so much, they watched it three times. This movie bought lots of good memories to the residents. The staff also enjoyed the movie and had great comments about it. Thank you so much for such a great movie!