User Reviews

At the climactic moment of "A Deadly Dance" (a.k.a., "Dance Night Obsession"), the popular television dance show Dance Night in America is ready to go on the air. The lead dancer and protagonist of the film, Kate Higgins, leaves her dressing room, but does not proceed to the stage. Rather, she goes to the producer's office to examine a confidential file prepared on her. This may be one of the rare instances in the history of entertainment where "the show must not go on"!!!

The film sought to portray the competitive world of dance with a small ensemble of performers. But almost every character in the film from the backstabbing dancers to the security man Tony to the producer Quinn to the lover and co-choreographer of Kate, Miguel Avila, are shady figures. Each character commits some devious act that could be construed as a crime, from stealing Kate's dog to placing a spider in her wardrobe to creating a phony online dating profile for her to taking out a multi-million-dollar life insurance policy on her.

It appeared that the cast included some good dancers. But rarely were their skills on display except for an occasional rehearsal scene or a short clip of dancers performing the salsa. There wasn't much suspense in the film because so many of the characters were suspicious and unlikable. The one breath of fresh air in the film was Kate's beloved dog Steinbeck, who should have been afforded a curtain call and an award for Best Supporting Actor.

If films such as Dirty Dancing, Top Hat and Saturday Night Fever float your boat, then this cinematic classic will leave you more than satisfied and begging for more of the same.

I won't bore you by regurgitating the plot lest I ruin your viewing pleasure, but needless to say much murderous mayhem ensues throughout.

What elevates this magnificent movie above it's inferiors is the quality acting on display.

Sabrina Bryan is a thespian of undoubted talent and shines throughout... I am astounded that I haven't seen her in many other cinematic blockbusters. Antonio Sabato Jr is, besides a hunky piece of eye candy for the ladies and certain gentlemen, an actor of great stature who has obviously trodden the boards since a young stripling of a lad. The dance scenes are particularly impressive and Sabato Jr obviously possesses twinkle toes on a par with the late, great Patrick Swayze.

All the supporting cast are terrific too... The casting director Ricki Maslar must have had a tough job on her hands to recruit so many thespians at the top of their game.

Special mention should go to Drew Gallagher as the dance hunk... It is to be hoped that his undoubted acting talent does not go unnoticed and he secures suitably challenging roles in future similar blockbusters.

Overall, a film that delivers in spadefuls and leaves the viewing public wanting more of the same. Hopefully a sequel is in the offing and an apt title for said cinematic feast would be 'Dance Night Obsession The Sequel'

Thoroughly recommended!

Seriously? Does LMN stand for Laughable Morons Network? The acting in this was terrible. She couldn't even act right after being bit by a spider. She was flat. Unmoved. Sabato still can't act, either. Don't waste your time.

When one is entered into the realm of sub 4 LMN thrillers (evident in this case within 10 minutes) & decides to keep watching, it is crucial one connects with a character. Enter Steinbeck. As we cascaded from awkwardness to absurdity, with each scene offering multiple plot lines that had no hope or intent of being tied together, there was the hope that Steinbeck the presumably faithful loving pooch would return, even as its owner & top billed BF seemed to forget about it. Alas our patience was rewarded in a triumphant finale, rivaling & in most cases easily besting the tender final moments with the institutionalized villains savored by those who favor this genre . Thank you LMN.