Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
John Goodman | ... | Steve Mills | |
Elden Henson | ... | Young Steve Mills / Samson | |
Robert Carlyle | ... | Frank Keane | |
Sean Astin | ... | Kip Kipling | |
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Teresa Johnston | ... | Kate Collmary |
Kelley Parker | ... | Young Lisa Gobar | |
Michael Bower | ... | Tommy Tanksley (as Michael Ray Bower) | |
Chance Michael Corbitt | ... | Peter Jelliffe | |
Josh Horowitz | ... | Kenny Dulin (as Joshua Horowitz) | |
Philip Perlman | ... | Civil Defense Man (as Phil Perlman) | |
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Maria Parkinson | ... | Miss Parkinson |
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Karlyn Michelson | ... | Lucy (as Karlyn Hayley Michelson) |
Camryn Manheim | ... | Lisa Gobar | |
Octavia Spencer | ... | Ayisha Lebaron | |
Marisa Tomei | ... | Meredith Morrison |
Dance is a very powerful drug, if embraced judiciously; to reap its rewards, one must shoulder its challenges with intrepid countenance. Frank Keene, a grieving baker in a near catatonic state, happens on a car accident. The loquacious and insightful victim, Steve Mills, is on his way to an appointment in Pasadena with a years-ago acquaintance; he asks Frank to go in his place. It's a dance class. Frank goes, to find Steve's friend. The story moves back and forth among Steve's childhood, the scene of the accident, and the aftermath of Frank's first Lindy hop. Black eyes, group therapy, loneliness, boys being boys, roads not taken, and saying good-bye color the story. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
I caught this film at the Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck Michigan. Directed by Randall Miller and a star filled cast, this film was the best of the festival, and may be one of my favorites of the year. The film begins with baker Robert Carlyle driving down a deserted highway. He comes upon a stranger in a car wreck, played by John Goodman, and the two talk with each other, waiting for the ambulance to arrive. Goodman tells Carlyle of his planned reunion with his childhood love at the place mentioned in the title.
This beautiful film is wonderfully acted, with such stars as Marisa Tomei, Mary Steenburgen, Sean Astin, Donnie Wahlberg, David Paymer, and Ernie Hudson. I loved the story, I didn't realize you could do so much with such a simple outline. I loved the structure of the film, the way it was edited and shot. There were some very funny moments, very touching moments, and overall it's just a great experience. Some of the filmmakers showed up for the festival and had some great stories to tell. The movie was originally made 15 years ago as a short film of the same title, and a lot of the scenes from the short film are used in the feature as flashback scenes (I knew I saw Donkeylips from Salute Your Shorts).
I think with such an all-star cast and such a good story, this film will at least get release in major cities. So if you get the chance, check this movie out.