Swing Into Romance (TV Movie 2023) Poster

(2023 TV Movie)

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6/10
Attempt at a dance story
MickyG33325 February 2024
6.3 stars.

I like both lead actors, but this film is primarily about an adept female dancer (McKellar) as she attempts to teach a deconditioned man to swing dance for a contest. Her family needs her to win the contest to save the family store. She used to be a professional dancer and won many competitions years ago, but had a falling out with her previous Russian dance partner, and subsequently gave up dancing. She eventually went into finance. The lead male was a decent dancer when he was a young boy, but apparently hasn't danced in decades. He is an accountant.

Whereas she was a professional, he was barely an amateur. As the two of them are practicing, it's quite obvious that he has two left feet and there is no way a man of his low caliber could win a contest at this level. He is also overweight and fairly clumsy. It's somewhat of a farce and inconceivable to imagine them winning. This would be like Bradley Cooper's character winning in 'Silver Linings Playbook'. We all know he has no chance, but Cooper was somewhat lithe, and at least they made it interesting with the side bet on the NFL game. 'Swing Into Romance' has no such excitement.

Unfortunately, where the romance lacks, the dancing doesn't make up the difference. Something is missing and I can only guess that it's a lack of chemistry. This movie fell flat and it's an outlier in that respect, because almost every GAF, UP, Hallmark movie between 6.7 and 6.9 stars is amazing. If I want to watch a movie only for dance I'll watch 'Step Up' or 'Dirty Dancing'. I'm looking for an original family movie with dance AND romance and 'Swing Into Romance' should be called 'Swing into'.
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7/10
Comical male lead dancer, with missing romance
sweber3303-590-81586619 February 2024
You mean to tell me that in a show centered around organized competitive dancing they couldn't find a male lead who at least appeared to be in dancing shape? Or, a guy who could pass as being in dancing shape? Instead of a middle aged dad bod actor? Danica dipped into her Dancing With The Stars experience, and even has some on screen dance numbers with a former DWTS pro, but the male lead is almost comical as a dancer.

The movie has a family theme, with ok entertaining writing. All it missed was moderate believability.

As for the romance portion of the movie, there was very little chemistry between the two leads, to make up for the lack of authenticity in the dancing.
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8/10
Danica Stole The Show!
lvlaxq10 October 2023
I really enjoyed Swing Into Romance. Danica looked amazing dancing with Gleb from DWTS. It's almost impossible to believe she is 48. The acting was good. My only real complaint was that I didn't think her love interest had the greatest chemistry with her.

I thought Gleb from DWTS did a really great job. He was quite believable for a 1st time actor. I can see him going places in the future. My dad says he looks a little like Errol Flynn and I kinda agree with him on that.

I'm a big DWTS's fan so I wish there was even more dancing in it than there was. =)

All in all, It was a quite enjoyable way to spend 90 mins.
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10/10
Heartwarming and Relaxing
skillfulcota8 October 2023
This movie was heartwarming and relaxing even though it was a "swing" movie! Contains multi-generational family member issues and the internal struggles while moving through life's journey to resolve. Acting was top notch for all cast. "Taylor" added to the heartwarming aspect of this movie as she is an adorable girl that is all warmth, cuteness and fun wrapped into one character, I am inspired to get my dancing shoes on and work through the physical demands of "swing" after watching this movie. Once again, well picked choice for Bill Abbott and his team. So grateful for something decent and worthwhile once again from the hard working, clean and respectable writing and directing teams who create inspiring and educational movies.
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8/10
Swinging Out of the Park
vjf3624 March 2024
I dvr this movie and watched it today. This is a very good movie. As usual Danica is always at her best. Her partner did a very good job. I enjoyed this movie because it wasn't the typical cookie cutter movie. The movie kept you on your toes and never sure how it will end. The DEWTS dancer was a good addition. And brought a little completion to the lead. Glen did a nice job. And the dancing was excellent my Danica with Gleb The surrounding cast were very additions with their limited roles. The young girl was cute in her role. No over acting.

I hope GAC continues with plots that are not your typical HM This had nice interaction between the two leads Also a little bit sexy dancing.

I highly recommend this movie.
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3/10
The Store must be Saved. Or Else.
rebekahrox9 October 2023
Danica Mckellar sure looks great and not just for her age. I have to hand it to her even though I'm not usually a huge fan of her perpetually worried expression. David Hayden Jones, even though younger than her, looked a little creaky in comparison, but that could have been his role.

The story was a little creaky as well. Former professional circuit dancer Danica returns home for a visit on her way to a great job in Seattle. She learns that her parents' general store is in trouble due to an upcoming increase in the rent. She is determined to "save" the store even though the store doesn't really look like it wants to be saved. Very sparse in the merchandise department which is carefully arranged and covered with fallish decor to disguise the lack of products on the shelves. Her parents don't seem all that desperate to keep the store open either. They were probably looking forward to retirement. But Danica cannot be stopped. She is going to enter a dance contest to win the prize money which will save the store. Single Widower David H-J ends up being her partner and love ensues. Can rejection of her great city career and embrace of small town life be far behind?

The infinity long garlands of leaves used in last week's movie have made their way over to this one. And what with being moved from farm to store to dance studio to bank to two homes to the auditorium of the contest, they are looking a little tired. I love stories with continuing characters and am looking forward to meeting them again in next week's "Fall into Autumn" offering.
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3/10
Very disappointed!
djone-5618714 October 2023
Danica McKellar is by far one of my favourite actresses from Hallmark and I was so looking forward to this new movie. The first 30 minutes of the movie I turned it off it. The plot was so boring. . I couldn't watch anymore then a few hours later, I couldn't find anything on TV. I figured I'll go ahead watch it. It got a little bit better when she began dancing for a competition. The same fall decorations were everywhere and way too many of them. It was too much and borderline obnoxious! The storyline was just boring overall not what I was expecting from a movie with Danica McKellar in it. And the wardrobe she wore was so out of date and old school. The music she danced to during practice & the competition was music I've never heard of. Can you please use music that is from this decade, and that people have actually heard it before and it's popular music? I hope the future movies get better but if you use the same writers with boring/lame plots, the same wardrobe personnel and whomever sets the scenes with the same excessive decorations, etc, I'm going back to watch Hallmark movies besides Lacey Chabert is my other favorite actors so at least she is still with Hallmark and I'd say about 80% of the movies I've seen witb Lacey and Danica on Hallmark are A movies. The majority of Hallmark movies have really great plots, great wardrobes, decorations are not excessive, music from this decade and recognizable, etc! Overall, I give this movie a C- though if Danica wasn't in the movie, I would give it an F!
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