User Reviews

When I realized what plot device they were using, I almost gave up on this film. Poor Christine is about to lose her dance studio, that's been in her family, to the big corporation that is tearing everything down, and the guy she meets, Jack, is head of the project, but she doesn't know it. Add to that Jack's existing girlfriend is the powerful boss' daughter. And in the beginning, Jack is a real money-grubbing, dishonest jerk.

The other well-used plot device is that of showing Jack doesn't belong in this world of snobs. But before he can learn that, he needs will learn how to dance so he can show his society-bred girlfriend that he can. So he randomly goes to Christine's studio.

You can probably figure out how most of this is going to work out, but there is one fun thing thrown in - his mother shows up. She is funny. At first you think she is the stereotype meddler, but she turns out to be much better than that.

While most of the dance instruction takes place without music, there are a couple of nice displays of the waltz. Not overly glitzy, but romantic. The only downside is that the same waltz music runs on the soundtrack constantly, even sometimes when no one is dancing.

The acting is good enough. I thought that Jack's change from jerk to nice-guy was too quick and unbelievable. Christine trusts this guy who literally walked in off the street and pours out her troubles to him almost immediately.

***SPOILERS*** Kudos to this movie for an ending that doesn't solve every problem. There's a little twist to save the studio, but many will see it coming.

Addendum after watching again 3 years after first viewing. I remembered one key plot development, but didn't remember the entire movie that well. Between the first time and this time, I watched 4 seasons of Saving Hope in about 2 months. Michelle Norton is quite memorable as something of a hard a** in that series and Christine has many subtle similarities as you might expect being the same actor. In my second viewing, I never saw Christine as quite as soft as I'm sure I did the first time. Even with that, and Jack starting out as such a money grubbing jerk, Norton and McCarthy do develop chemistry.

This is typical Hallmark and fits into their usual formula...the lead's girlfriend/boyfriend is a ditz/evil, the lead finds his soulmate totally innocently, the lead works for an evil empire attempting to take over the soulmate's business/building/town/resort. There is always snow and lots of Christmas lights. If you've seen more than two Hallmark movies, you'll know the ending in the first 10 minutes.

There are a couple of redeeming features, one being the nice dance sequences. Michelle Nolden is an exquisite and extremely graceful dancer and the camera follows her beautifully. I don't know if she studied dance or is a really well-coached actress but I did enjoy watching her. McCarthy isn't bad, either.

A little variation on the music would have been nice. That same song, repeated umpteen times in the movie, becomes brain lint.

Andrew McCarthy, though finally looking a little older, has never been better as far as this wonderful, endearing film goes.

He is the hot-shot in a business firm, successful and just about ready to marry the daughter of the boss. To impress them at their holiday dance, he takes dancing lessons and that's where the fun begins.

The more complications that come into the plot, the story just seems to get better and better. When the dance studio is threatened with eviction, McCarthy soon learns that his business is leading the way for this. He can't bring himself to tell the owner, his dance instructor, and besides the two beginning having a fond attachment for each other. You just wonder when she will find out who he really is. We know that has to happen since life follows a natural order. Yet, you don't care because the story between choosing love over wealth is forever endearing.

I loved this movie. The haunting melody danced to throughout the movie is charming. The theme of choosing relationship over money was heartwarming. The mom who comes to visit and helps the son realize he needs to make a healthier choice than choosing the boss's daughter was the perfect touch. I watch this show every Christmas without fail.

The writing and acting in this movie are light years ahead of what Hallmark passes off as a Christmas movie these days. Andrew McCarthy is solid in the lead, while Michelle Nolden adds grace, class and timeless beauty.

Andrew McCarthy has steadily been an actor whose movies take you into the moment, where you magically lose yourself, and once the credits roll, you're still there.

"Come Dance With Me" doesn't grab you immediately, but slowly pulls you in. Although there are a few scenes that just don't mesh, McCarthy pulls it off. His brooding, ruggedly handsome demeanor is seductive, and it undoubtedly crosses the movie to viewer barrier.

Casting for this movie was mostly on target, except for the bosses daughter. There's absolutely no chemistry in what seems to be a composite airhead overacted and stereotypical blonde type. As a viewer/audience, you just wish she'd go away, but at the same type it gives you the chance for a few giggles at her expense.

Since the movie title does contain "Dancing" you're in for a pleasant surprise. McCarthy pulls off a beautiful waltz, and for me - he can fill my dance card for the entire event.

Although I rated this movie an 8, it's certainly not in the same caliber of Rogers and Astaire, but with more than a few wonderful scenes, where the magic of the movies comes alive .... we can blissfully dance the night away.