Mad Hot Ballroom
An insightful, inspiring and often hilarious look at a group of 11-year-old New York City public school kids who journey into the world of ballroom dancing. Along the way, they reveal themselves and their world as they compete in the final citywide competition. Told from their candid perspectives, these kids are transformed from reluctant participants to determined competitors, from typical urban kids to "ladies and gentlemen."
Member Reviews
Heart-warming fun - jungforu
Mad Hot Ballroom follows 3 different public schools as they learn and compete in ballroom dancing. Through out the movie, you start to see the children grow, develop, and change, in many times for the better. Also, this movie has many good laughs, mostly from the simple things that the children say. Sure, it isn't the most intellectual movie, but it is heart-warming and sweet.Mad Hot Ballroom Left Me Spellbound - TheShamus
Mad Hot Ballroom is to dancing what the documentary, "Spellbound" is to Spelling Bees. There are plenty of similarities, and plenty of differences.
Mad Hot Ballroom documents a program in the New York City area amongst Public School students (11 and 12 yrs old) as they learn several dances like the Rumba and the Swing. The film chronicals the trials and tribulations of several schools as they chase the covetted dance trophy.
Dancing has an individual, couple and team element. By it's very nature, it is subjective, because it is judged by a panel of judges. A different panel could result in a different outcome.
You do not have to be a fan of ballroom dancing to appreciate what is on the minds of 11 and 12 year-olds. Nobody wants to win more than the teachers.
Mad Hot Ballroom is successful because it gives you a lot to talk about. The movie spends a good amount of time talking about how important it is to deal with not winning. The rivalry between the top two schools is built up well (although we are not exactly talking about cut-throat competition). You get some of the stereotypes towards the young males in the movie who are good at dancing ... or like to dance. You are introduced to the New York City school system ... one featured school has a 97% poverty rate.
The music is fun. The unscripted comments from the kids are great. It also reminds me that people so not mature much beyond Grade 5 --- some of the kids have as much insight as a lot of adults!
This movie is highly recommended.
/\/\/\/\ the Shamus /\/\/\/\Inspiring! - Malakaiii
This was a great film. I loved watching how the kids changed themselves and found their own style through the dancing. It was interesting to watch them changing into young adults as the movie progressed.
A very respectful look at children. Shows that public schools really do care about these kids, and it was great to see some of the teachers really be moved by their actions.
Lots of life-lessons are learned here. I prefered thise movie even to Spellbound (which I also enjoyed) as the dancing has more room for deviation... the kids could express their personalities through it far more. There was also a lot less pressure on them to do well!
I'll be showing this one to the kids I know... and lots of adults too!
Member Reviews
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Heart-warming fun - jungforu
Mad Hot Ballroom follows 3 different public schools as they learn and compete in ballroom dancing. Through out the movie, you start to see the children grow, develop, and change, in many times for the better. Also, this movie has many good laughs, mostly from ...Mad Hot Ballroom Left Me Spellbound - TheShamus
Mad Hot Ballroom is to dancing what the documentary, "Spellbound" is to Spelling Bees. There are plenty of similarities, and plenty of differences.
Mad Hot Ballroom documents a program in the New York City area amongst Public School students (11 and ...Inspiring! - Malakaiii
This was a great film. I loved watching how the kids changed themselves and found their own style through the dancing. It was interesting to watch them changing into young adults as the movie progressed.
A very respectful look at children. Shows that ...