A familiar story but a welcome one just the same

Rating: 7/10 (16 October 2006)

Nora (Jenna Dewan) is an aspiring dancer at the Maryland School for the Arts. She is dismayed when her partner is injured, as it comes just weeks before a recital that is a stepping stone to an offer from a dance company. She needs a new partner to help her rehearse and she starts looking. Tyler, on the other hand, is a teenage foster child in a rough section of Baltimore. Although his foster mother tries hard, his foster father is a no-good loafer who doesn't give the children under his roof the time of day. He just wants a paycheck. One day, Ty and a couple of friends go inside the MSA to retrieve a ball and end up trashing the place. Tyler is sentenced to serve as a janitor at the art school for his community service. Oh, and by the way, Tyler is a talented hip hop dancer. You can probably guess what's coming. Tyler observes beautiful Nora and becomes aware of her dilemma. His solution? Choose me as your dance partner, dear Nora. It happens and it changes both of their lives. This sweet movie, with a rougher undertone, has that ages old story of unlikely and star-crossed lovers. Nora is from a world of privilege and Tyler is from the world of the have-nots. Yet, given a bit of time and effort, they find they need each other and can benefit greatly from the contact. Dewan is very lovely and a terrific dancer while the actor playing Tyler is talented and attractive. The script is a winner and so are the costumes and settings. It would be wonderful if inner city children everywhere could be given a showing of the movie. Tyler's life is truly changed by his exposure to the world outside his neighborhood. Nora, too, gains respect for those less fortunate than herself. Don't hesitate to let teens, or anyone who wants to see the film, get their chance. It is a great character building movie with a special sparkle and beauty.