Gotta Dance Movie Review

Gotta Dance is a film from Director Dori Berinstein that chronicles the story of the first ever seniors dance team for the New Jersey Nets NBA basketball team. This documentary film begins with auditions and carries you through the live performances in front of thousands of fans. The documentary, which features the 12 woman, 1 man dance team, opened in New York theaters July 31st, with a wider theatrical release in Los Angeles on August 21st.

The requirements to join the NETSational Seniors were simple. You had to be ‘at least’ 60 years of age and a talented dancer. Many turned out for the auditions, but only 13 had this combination of characteristics. Trained by members of the Nets regular dance team, members of the NETSationals learned hip hop dance moves despite many of them never having heard the music before. Their mission was to perform 6 routines over the course of the basketball season.

Meet The Team:

Members of the seniors dance team have very interesting backgrounds, many of which are presented in the film. They range in age from 60 to 83. Here is a little bit more about them.

Peggy (74) – Former ‘Miss Subway’ and prize-winning jitter bug dancer
Deanna (65) – Called in sick for work to audition but her boss saw her on the local news
Pat (70) – Tried out only to please her grandson
Betty/Betsy (64) – Kindergarten teacher and hip hop groupie
Edie (64) – Children’s dance teacher
Marge (83) – Granddaughter Marla is a Nets Dancer and one of the coaches
Claire (63) – Started ballroom at 45 and competes with a 28 year old dance partner
Janice (72) – Not a hip hop fan but has been a 25 year ‘Happy Tappers’ member
Fanny (81) – Line dancer who becomes a celebrity in her Philippino community
Willa (74) – Great Great Grandmother who wears a new hair style every week
Joe B (62) – The only guy who tried out after his son’s dare
Audrey (60) – Once horrified to turn 60 she is now proud of her age

Gotta Dance is an award winning film, but it has become much more than that. According to Director Berinstein, the movie helps dispel some of the “rampant ageism” in society. Gotta Dance has become a multi-generational hip hop dance program on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, currently on 20 ships worldwide. There is also a Social Networking Website for Adults who love dance. The show is also headed for Broadway with the all-star cast and creative team being assembled. Gotta Dance also offers instructional Hip Hop Workshops for all ages.

It is hard not to feel inspired, encouraged and upbeat (regardless of your age) with Gotta Dance. the cast demonstrates the reality that your ability to move and shake is more a mindset than a physical capability in most cases. Berinstein and team do an amazing job telling a story that if not well-presented could easily lose its audience fairly early. The documentary is fast-pace, moves quickly through from auditions to background, to first performance, and into the rampant media splash for the dance team. The NETSationals became a national sensation with appearances on morning shows, talk shows, and even earned a quip on Saturday Night Live.

What better timing for a film that shows off the dance potential of 60-plusers than the close of another successful season of So You Think You Can Dance. Dance as an entertainment format has never been more popular. Gotta Dance is one of the most surprisingly enjoyable and fun films to release in 2009.

MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 94 minutes
Theatrical Release Date: August 21, 2009

Movie Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews

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