STEP UP

US, 2006, 104 minutes, Colour.
Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Rachel Griffiths.
Directed by Anne Fletcher.

If one were to write a critique only of Step Up, there would be statement that none of it was original – in fact, the writer also did the screenplay for Save the Last Dance – that it had every twist and turn that dance films have, that it has every move that black and white ghetto films include, that you could even predict lines of dialogue. The point that the producers asked Michael Seresin to be the director of photography because he had filmed Fame twenty six years earlier would indicate that it is a derivative of Fame even though the same producer said that he wanted a ‘fresh take’ on the dance story.

If one were to write a review of Step Up (which this is), there would be a statement that, despite its not being original at all, it is a cheerful dance film, full of verve, despite the familiarity – and that each generation wants to do its own version of a particular style of film for its own audiences. It doesn’t particularly matter if it has been done before.

The opening credits highlight the differences in music and dance between classical ballet at a College of the Arts and rap-influenced rhythms in a club. The credits highlight the gap between rich and poor, black and white, ghetto (mentality) and affluent suburbs (mentality).

We can take it from there. Channing Tatum (She’s the Man, A Guide to recognising Your Saints) is able to be offhand and surly – and can dance as well. Jenna Dewan is driven and ambitious – and can dance too. Rachel Griffiths is the strong but reasonable principle of the college. The rest of the characters are an assorted mix of best friends, boyfriends, families and some boyz in the hood (in this case, Baltimore).

It all works out well, of course, redemption being possible through dance and affirmation. It builds up to a set piece as a grand finale and the characters step up to life.

(This is the film where Channing Tatum met Jenna Dewan – and later they married.)

1. An enjoyable dance film? In the tradition of so many dance films, variations on themes? The several sequels to this film?

2. The Baltimore setting, the worlds of the rich, of the poor? The world of dance? The School of the Arts?

3. The music, the musical score, the songs? The dance sequences? The individuals, the couples, the groups?

4. The opening and the credits sequence, the different styles of dancing, traditional, Street dance, combining the two? The styles of choreography?

5. The character of Tyler Gage? Channing Tatum’s screen presence? His age, background, idle, his friends, the two African-American? brothers, Mac and Skinny? Going to parties, stealing cars? going into the School of the Arts, the vandalism and destruction?

6. Tyler being called to account? The sentence? The hours of community service? Director Gordon and her organising him into cleaning the School of the Arts?

7. Director Gordon, her role in the Academy, authority, with the staff, with the students, with Tyler, Street-talking and discipline, with Nora? Belief in Tyler and his changing?

8. Tyler, the work, observing the dance, dancing in the parking lot? Nora seeing him?

9. Nora, a top dancer, at the School of the Arts, with Andrew her partner, his injury, the difficulties? Tyler stepping in, helping with the choreography, becoming a dancing partner, the effect on each of them?

10. The other members of the School of the Arts, Miles and Lucy, their characters, becoming friends with Tyler?

11. The buildup to the finale, competitiveness, dancing, skills, the range of music, choreography?

12. A cheerful film, a film with a touch of redemption, with a touch of love – and with plenty of dance?