Gotta Dance (2009) : HollywoodJesus.com : Movie Reviews, Trailers and Spiritual Commentary

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Gotta Dance (2009)

Release Date:

Friday, July 31, 2009

MPAA Rating:

Genre:

Documentary

Starring:

Director:

Dori Berinstein

Official Site:

Gotta Dance (2009)

Synopsis:

Who says you can’t hip-hop if you’re 80-years-old? Who says your days as a performer are long gone? Who says you can’t shake things up and light up a jam-packed sports arena with your hot moves and cool attitude?

Just because you’re a card-carrying member of AARP, do you have to give up on your dreams? No. You don’t. Absolutely not.

Gotta Dance is Bad News Bears morphed into the flip side of Mad Hot Ballroom.

Gotta Dance the movie chronicles the debut of the New Jersey Nets' first-ever senior hip-hop dance team, 12 women and 1 man - all dance team newbies, from auditions through to center court stardom.

As smooth dance moves are perfected and performed in front of thousands, aging myths and misperceptions are pulverized.

Despite swollen ankles, exhausting rehearsals, fashion clashes and seemingly impossible dance steps, the NETSational Seniors go for it, spreading joy, inspiration and cool dance moves as they hip-hop their way into the hearts of Nets fans and beyond.

Gotta Dance (2009) | Review

Aging Gracefully

Tim Berroth

Gotta Dance is director Dori Berinstein's endearing documentary of the New Jersey NETSationals, a twelve-woman and one-man hip-hop dance troupe. What makes this team unique is each of its members are senior citizens with no dance experience whatsoever.

Chronicling their heartwarming journey from auditions and intense rehearsals to their half-time routine for the NBA New Jersey Nets, Gotta Dance will have you cheering them on.

Because the film is similar in style and theme to last year's Young @ Heart, watching these hip-hopping seniors joyously bridge the gap between young and old by busting moves (and not hips) will touch and inspire.

What differentiates Gotta Dance from Young @ Heart is a light-heartedness that does not detract from its emotional wallop or effectiveness. While Young @ Heart focused on the frailty and mortality of its subjects, Gotta Dance is all about hope and joyous exuberance.

The act of dancing is, for the most part, a celebratory act. This film leaves no doubt that celebration knows no age boundaries. Watching these dedicated seniors will make even the most dour viewer Gotta Dance as well.

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