Overview
When a hip hop violinist busking in the New York subway encounters a classical dancer on scholarship at the Manhattan Conservatory of the Arts, sparks fly. With the help of a hip hop dance crew they must find a common ground while preparing for a competition that could change their lives forever.
First of all, I did not like the prolonged and very stupid exposition in the water part. The first half of the film is boring to death. I mean, you're given a bunch of people and they're all just a faceless mass, including the main characters. All this time, I stupidly drooled at Galitsin playing the violin, because there is simply nothing else to look at.
The acting is mediocre - even Galitsin does not shine here, although he can give a good performance. In addition, there is absolutely no chemistry between the main couple of the film - they are so wooden that you never believe in their love. Especially after RWRB, where there was such frenzied chemistry between Nick and Tyler that many fans inadvertently began to wonder if these two were having an affair in real life?". Yes, even take the same Purple Hearts, where Nick had very good chemistry with Sofia Carson.
In the second half of the film, when at least some activity begins, the plot goes on more cheerfully and it is more interesting to watch, but this does not save the film.
The clumsy editing and clueless framing were also very striking. The terrible visual range is ragged, jerky, chaotic, and does not convey the beauty of the frame. But this is not some kind of live action or mockumentary - there is a very important good exposition that emphasizes the beauty of dance.
The choreography of the dances also suffers, and because of the disgusting work of the operators, this is doubly striking. The only thing that draws out this creation is the work of set designers, costumers and lighting designers, who were able to give at least some charm to the final dance, and other scenes too.
In general, an average movie, which can only be watched for the sake of Galicia.
Yes, Galitsin in Handsome Devil with Fayonne O'Shea did a hundred times more chemistry.
It's still very decent here, and he's quite friendly with the main character.
Although I admit, the first half of the film didn't seem too long to me just because Nicholas is interesting to watch, no matter what kind of bullshit he suffers in the frame.
The same atmosphere, drive and beautiful actors.