Andrew McCarthy wants to marry the boss' daughter and secure his place in business. Her family has a tradition of ballroom dancing at Christmas. To impress her father and gain his approval, Andrew takes dancing lessons and falls in love with his instructor, Mary Long, in this superior Hallmark Christmas TV-movie.
Although the story sags occasionally from the minutiae of romantic comedy plotting, the heart of the movie, the self-realization that McCarthy comes to while learning how to dance and the growing relationship between him and his dancing partner is beautifully staged and performed, with a graceful camera caressing them as they move.
Howard Hawks was once asked how to make a great picture. He said "Three good scenes and no bad ones." This movie has those good scenes and more.
Although the story sags occasionally from the minutiae of romantic comedy plotting, the heart of the movie, the self-realization that McCarthy comes to while learning how to dance and the growing relationship between him and his dancing partner is beautifully staged and performed, with a graceful camera caressing them as they move.
Howard Hawks was once asked how to make a great picture. He said "Three good scenes and no bad ones." This movie has those good scenes and more.