Mad Hot Ballroom 2005

Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press: Mad Hot Ballroom had me at '... and go!' Read more

Jessica Reaves, Chicago Tribune: It's a dynamic snapshot of youth in the big city, of kids who talk tough and act up but savor the discipline and structure of their dance classes. Read more

John Hartl, Seattle Times: The kids are remarkably open -- and tentative -- about their feelings. Read more

Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle: Watching the kids dance is irresistible, but director Marilyn Agrelo is sensitive to the full complex of emotions invoked by the competition. Read more

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper: It's kind of like the dance version of that documentary Rock School. Read more

Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Clearly, the dance lessons are life lessons as well, nurturing self-confidence, team spirit, the joy of dancing and even a slight touch of Old World etiquette in an otherwise too-busy- to-be-courteous world. Read more

Scott Tobias, AV Club: Mad Hot Ballroom is really about children being so disarmingly adorable that an overlong, somewhat lackluster documentary about them can seem like an inspiring triumph. Read more

Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic: Although not a great film, it's a joy to watch. Read more

Ty Burr, Boston Globe: Take the kids. The 10-year-old I had the pleasure to watch the movie with was transfixed, racked with suspense, and mirroring the moves before it was half over. Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: Warm, funny and very difficult to resist. Read more

Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post: Wins you over with kid after kid after kid saying the darndest things about boys and girls, winning and losing, and a host of other issues. Read more

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: A testament to the discipline, humor, and life of kids who swing. Read more

Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News: For director Marilyn Agrelo and screenwriter Amy Sewell, the documentary is a beautifully realized first effort. For the documented youngsters, it's a celebration of their stamina, tenacity and unforced lovability. Read more

Ella Taylor, L.A. Weekly: A frisky charmer. Read more

Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: Aside from being perfectly irresistible, the movie is also deeply inspiring, especially for children. Read more

Gene Seymour, Newsday: Watching these lively people, young and old, express their wishes, confess their fears and kick uptheir heels is enough to make you proud to be a New Yorker. Heck, proud to be human. Read more

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger: A lovely movie, full of real-life drama (you can almost see it being turned into an off-Broadway musical). Read more

Jami Bernard, New York Daily News: This winning documentary about fifth-graders who learn ballroom dancing is one of those movies that make the world a brighter place. Read more

A.O. Scott, New York Times: New York City fifth graders determinedly go through the paces of traditional ballroom dancing in this slight, charming documentary. Read more

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel: The kids are adorable, and so is the movie. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: This is an amazing documentary achievement -- easily as good, if not better, than any recent 'feel good' fictional story that Hollywood has put on the screen. Read more

David Edelstein, Slate: There are so many funny yet wrenching moments that the film's refusal to stop and probe can be a gift. Read more

Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune: The dedication the youngsters bring to their dancing is infectious, and that gives this documentary a leg up. Read more

Rick Groen, Globe and Mail: The film grows in rhythm and grace as the competition approaches. Read more

Susan Walker, Toronto Star: Offers a rare glimpse of what's on the minds of pre-adolescent kids. Read more

Raven Snook, Time Out: Charming if slightly overlong. Read more

Claudia Puig, USA Today: It's fascinating to watch those who initially slouched and dragged their feet grow into nimble and determined competitive dancers. Read more

Robert Koehler, Variety: Director Marilyn Agrelo is able to capture with easy charm and grace what happens between 10- and 11-year-old boys and girls as they break out of their childhood shells and interact with each other. Read more

Laura Sinagra, Village Voice: One foosball game in an American-flag-bedecked Bensonhurst basement leaves us yearning for more intimate portraits. Read more

Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post: Sweet and wise little film. Read more

Sarah Kaufman, Washington Post: What is loveliest is listening to the kids talk. They are at a touchingly sweet stage, still plump-cheeked and mischievous, bravely trying to make sense of a complicated world and their place in it. Read more

Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: It will sweep you off your feet. Read more