Movie Night Bonanza — Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School
This film is, in my opinion, a real little gem.
Directed by Randall Miller (CBGB, Bottle Shock, Nobel Son), with the screen play by Randal Miller and Jody Savin this movie is touching, funny and thoughtful.
Simplistically described, it is the story of a small town U.S. baker mourning the untimely death of his wife. While on his delivery route, he comes across a terrible car accident and assists the badly injured and dying victim.
The story is so much more than that.
While he waits at the scene of the crash for emergency personnel to arrive, he talks to the badly injured victim who keeps on repeating that he has an important appointment that he has to be at. Eventually the injured man reveals why it is so important that he keep that appointment, and persuades the baker to reveal part of his own story.
The upshot of it is that the baker agrees to go and keep the appointment in place of the injured man, and discovers a whole new world as well as a new truth about himself
There are no explosions, no shootings or stabbings, but a lot of gentle humour, cool cinematography, good acting and a plausible, thoughtful storyline. We really enjoyed it.
The casting was excellent. The very likeable Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny) plays the love interest, Mary Steenburgen plays Miss Hotchkiss, Robert Carlisle plays the baker, John Goodman plays the injured man. Donnie Wahlburg is excellent as Randall, the somewhat disfunctional dance pupil with a massive chip on his shoulder. Danny DeVito puts in a small appearance at the end. Other supporting actors Sean Astin, Elden Henson.
A sweet little movie.
Footnote: Sadly talented Filmmaker Randall Miller was been banned from directing movies for 10 years. You can read about this in his bio. A very great loss to the movie world. He and his wife, Jody Savin made up a dream team.
