Hallmark Christmas movies are known for their festive cheer and heartwarming romances, often becoming holiday viewing staples. However, not every film in their lineup achieves classic status. “Come Dance with Me,” while occasionally airing on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, often finds itself relegated to late-night slots, suggesting it doesn’t quite capture the daytime magic of other similar films. While the premise of a dance-themed Christmas romance is appealing, this particular “Dance With Me Movie” struggles to find its rhythm.
One might expect a film titled “Come Dance with Me” to be rich in dance sequences and showcase the art form prominently. Unfortunately, this movie is a dance film in name only. The story revolves around Jack (Andrew McCarthy), a finance professional, and Christine (Michelle Nolden), a dance studio owner. Jack, seeking to impress his girlfriend’s mother and boss, decides to learn to waltz. He enlists Christine’s help for dance lessons, setting the stage for a potential romance. However, the film quickly shifts focus away from the dance element and towards a predictable plot involving real estate and corporate conflicts.
Alt: Andrew McCarthy and Michelle Nolden in Come Dance with Me movie poster, a romantic dance film.
The narrative unfolds with Jack and Christine’s initial dance lessons and budding connection. The conflict arises when Christine discovers her studio’s lease is not being renewed, and Jack realizes he is connected to the repossession of her building. The film then becomes tangled in Jack’s attempts to conceal his involvement and maintain his relationship with Christine, creating a somewhat farcical situation.
Andrew McCarthy delivers a committed performance, embracing the comedic aspects of his character’s deception and awkward attempts to juggle his professional life and burgeoning romance. However, Michelle Nolden’s character, Christine, is less developed. Her preoccupation with the potential loss of her studio overshadows other aspects of her personality, limiting her on-screen chemistry with McCarthy. While the script attempts to build a romantic connection, the lack of depth in Christine’s character and the weak writing hinder the development of genuine chemistry between the leads.
What ultimately prevents “Come Dance with Me” from truly resonating is its underutilization of dance. Unlike other dance-themed movies that inject energy and excitement through well-choreographed sequences, this film largely neglects its central theme. A few more dance numbers interspersed throughout the narrative could have elevated the plot and provided much-needed visual and emotional dynamism. The climax features a final dance performance, but it feels insufficient to compensate for the overall lack of dance content throughout the movie.
Comparisons to other films highlight “Come Dance with Me”‘s shortcomings. Movies like “Holiday Spin,” despite their flaws, effectively use dance to propel the story and engage the audience. Even within the Hallmark universe, films like “Nutcracker Christmas” demonstrate a greater appreciation for the performing arts and integrate dance more meaningfully into the narrative. In contrast, “Come Dance with Me” feels like a missed opportunity to create a truly charming and memorable dance-focused Christmas movie.
In conclusion, “Come Dance with Me” is a Hallmark film that, despite its promising title and premise, fails to fully embrace its dance theme. While it offers a predictable romantic plot and serviceable performances, the lack of dance sequences and underdeveloped characters prevent it from standing out in the crowded landscape of holiday movies. For viewers seeking a genuine “dance with me movie” experience, this film might leave them wanting more rhythm and less real estate drama.
