Under the direction of actor Rick Gomez for his first venture into feature filmmaking, and in collaboration with fellow actor Steve Zahn, the heartfelt yet slightly inconsistent dramedy “She Dances” presents a family affair that shines on and off screen. The opening credits, which read “Introducing Audrey Zahn”, immediately disarms the viewer – this is none other than doting father Zahn, a familiar face in many ensemble casts, effectively silencing any whispers of nepotism as he wholeheartedly champions his gifted daughter and shares the screen with her.
The young actress Zahn convincingly portrays feelings of pride throughout the movie “She Dances.” This story follows a father and daughter who deal with domestic trauma during a road trip, ultimately healing their strained relationship. However, the script and direction could have been more effective: Emotions are not fully developed, and jokes fall flat, despite an able cast being given some awkward dialogue. For example, a protracted joke about parents complimenting each other’s trousers seems puzzling. Nevertheless, the two Zahns, particularly newcomer Audrey, exhibit enough charm and mystery to overshadow the film’s flaws.
In the story, Claire, played by a teenager, and her father Jason (portrayed by Zahn) are the main characters. Jason is obligated to chauffeur Claire and her friend Kat (Mackenzie Ziegler from “Dance Moms”) to an out-of-town dance competition as his ex-wife Deb (Rosemarie DeWitt, having minimal screen time) cannot due to a family crisis. At this moment, Jason is in the process of selling his shared artisanal distillery with his best friend Brian (Ethan Hawke), which adds to his stress about reconnecting with Claire at an inconvenient juncture. Neither Claire nor Kat appear overjoyed about spending long hours in a car with a middle-aged man and his outdated music preferences. However, as the journey unfolds, it becomes clear that there are deeper reasons for the undercurrent of tension: Jason continues to grapple with the loss of their son Jack, an emotionally difficult period that ended his marriage and left Claire adrift, with Kat providing support throughout.
The script for Gomez and Zahn involves them encountering numerous uncomfortable situations, from a flat tire delay to a hotel reservation mix-up that the kids handled admirably without throwing a tantrum. However, the writing can be clumsy at times, particularly when trying to portray teenage expressions like shrugs and eye-rolls. It also subtly hints (though never directly addresses) Jason’s potential alcohol issues. Despite these shortcomings, the heartfelt family bond depicted in “She Dances” is genuinely endearing, offering glimpses of the close relationship between the Zahns. This on-screen partnership seems to hold significant personal value for them, and watching this connection unfold feels as warm and comforting as watching a father-daughter dance at a wedding.
However, the movie extends too long, presenting an artificial feel through its forced dialogue and exaggerated mid-century motel set design, which the trio eventually occupies. The overall impression is that the production aims to display Claire’s dance skills in numerous well-coordinated scenes, with Zahn, a gifted dancer who choreographed Hawke’s 2023 film “Wildcat,” showcasing his talent. Yet, it’s perplexing why Claire is allowed to proceed with a solo performance after Kat experiences an unfortunate mishap — shouldn’t team errors impact the contest’s rules in some way? This isn’t the first time the movie neglects such details, relying on our willingness to suspend disbelief without providing compelling reasons for it.
In another part of the story, Claire’s rivalry with a strict dancer named Haley Fish, whom the girls affectionately call “Dolph” (a nod to Dolph Lundgren in Rocky IV), is introduced. This competition is reminiscent of Bring It On and adds an entertaining dynamic to She Dances. However, this connection to Rocky IV may seem far-fetched and more reflective of the writers’ and critics’ generational influences than the characters they have created. Nevertheless, this plotline subtly conveys a heartwarming idea that we can simultaneously be part of various familial groups – those who nurture us from birth, and those we form through shared experiences and kindness.
Ultimately, what lingers most about “She Dances” is the initial credit sequence, which presents Audrey Zahn as the lead character, and eventually, we see her gracefully moving on to other film projects.
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2025-06-09 20:47