High Strung (2016)

Touches You

Such a frustrating disappointment

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

Blistering performances.

I love this movie because it was very emotional, insightful and inspiring. There are no words that can explain the music and the dancing sure it is not Step Up, Take the lead, Center stage, Street Dance or other big movie hits but, it is different and unique. This movie is worth watching just for what it is.

This is one of those movies that make you look at the cast & crew list to see if the actors and directors/producers are related because there is no way that his movie is actually good. At all.As another review said, these "poor" dance school kids live in ridiculous lofts in Manhattan. I mean gorgeous. And even the ones with multiple teens living in them are spotless. Seriously, they would be cramped dark and filthy if this were true to form.There's a scene with a West Side Story wannabe dance "fight". Even the subway platform that this took place on had floors so clean and shiny, there's no way anyone ever urinated on them. Smh. The acting was atrocious, the music playing was truly horrifying at time. The only reason I am giving this 4 stars and not 1 is because I think the downstairs dancers were pretty good.It was a really poor version of a compilation of Save the Last Dance, Step Up, and Stomp the Yard.Final note: this may just be an homage to the fact the the main female character, ruby, can pull her leg past her head. Because she does that gratuitously and often. Ugh.

This is a well worn genre and story line. There have been many other dance movies with the same set up. Unlike others, the main dance character played by Keenan Kampa is the real deal. Unlike Flashdance, in which the climactic dance scene actually too three different people to pull off (a male hip hop dancer, an Olympic gymnast and a dancer), Keenan is the real deal. That's what made the movie for me. The Brit is a heavy character played weakly, Keenan's delivery is a bit too soft and sweet and there is certainly no Black Swan drama. Nonetheless, I feel the artistry, I connected with the desire to be different in a world expecting compliance and the final competition scene is worth the wait. The music is great and the dancing wonderful. There is no doubt, this movie is playing to a main stream audience. It is careful to avoid anything too cruel, rude or violent. So what, I enjoyed to scenery, the dancing and the music. Be inspired even if it is predictable.

Thank goodness someone finally made a dance film that fits the bill as entertaining, artsy and family friendly. The two leads (Keenan Kampa and Nicholas Galitzine) are new comers to Hollywood but they do a wonderful job, have amazing chemistry and are certainly attractive to gaze at! I especially enjoyed all the twists and turns of the plot but the dance is what really shines in this film! There are numerous styles of dance from Hip Hop to Tango, Irish Dance and Ballet. It is rare that a movie can capture dance but the scenes are brilliantly edited and directed so that you feel emotionally connected. The original score is an integral part of this movie and it weaves it's way through the film in a seamless blend of classical and current music. The final dance scene will have you cheering and crying while you are on the edge of your seat! I was really surprised that even my husband flipped over this film. If you want to see a wonderful "feel good" movie that is appropriate for the entire family, you will be in for a treat with High Strung!