Title: High Strung Free Dance
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Michael Damian
Starring: Thomas Doherty, Harry Jarvis, Juliet Doherty
Runtime: 1 hr 43 minutes

What It Is: Zander Raines, a dazzling young choreographer (Thomas Doherty), gives the break of a lifetime to two hopeful artists when he casts a stunning contemporary dancer, Barlow (Juliet Doherty) and innovative pianist, Charlie (Harry Jarvis) in New York’s most-anticipated new Broadway show: Free Dance. But the move throws off the show’s delicate creative balance when Charlie falls hard for Barlow while Zander embraces her as his muse. The emotions run hot igniting a rollercoaster of impassioned rivalry, romance, and determination. The question is, how much are these talented artists willing to risk for love? (courtesy press release)

What We Think: Dance centered movies take on more than the cinematic burden of a good story, they must create a visually stimulating experience using an art brought forth by the human form.

This particular film goes beyond this, incorporating original music and dance to create a passionate display on the screen.

While it is evident from the beginning that the film follows common film tropes: a doe-eyed beautiful white female whose innocence is emphasized by her more outgoing friends. A tussle headed not yet discovered genius white male who fawns over the muse, and who provides a counter to her other suitor who is both devastatingly handsome and successful, and white. They encircle each other, stumbling through their love triangle whilst suddenly emerging as hidden savants in their respected fields.

While neither Charlie (Jarvis) nor Barlow (Doherty) stands out in the film, their love story seemingly losing screen time to musical numbers, the film flows on through the strength of its choreography and catchy tunes. The Bollywood themed musical number, lead by white pop star Kayla Jordan (Jorgen Makena) seem cringe-worthy in the description, but is actually quite fun to watch. And a underground pub made to look like a speakeasy provides a song and dance-worthy of viral notoriety. So while the characters don’t leap off the screen, the music and dance most certainly do.

Our Grade: B+, As a lover of the arts I found this film to be a millennial homage to the struggling New York Actors before them. It invested its full pound of flesh in appealing to the audience’s youthful memories of musical adoration and it pays off. It’s a joy to watch for those that wanton for the day of Rent and Fame, and the passing of their own dreams now tucked in an Ikea drawer in their homes. More so it reignites that love of the arts in the youth of today, reaching out to them and pulling them into hope, that hope that lies just beyond low paid jobs, struck high amongst the lights of New York City.