Hope Dances (2017) Poster

(2017)

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8/10
A heartwarming movie for the whole family
dana-591569 January 2018
With daughters ages 7 and 10, finding movies that are appropriate and enjoyable for both of them is difficult to say the least. Hope Dances was an enjoyable and entertaining movie that our whole family enjoyed. The plot was engaging and the story moved along at a satisfying pace. We loved the actors and felt that the relationships between the characters were authentic and engaging. I too liked that there is no bullying or malicious adult figures in the story line. It was a movie that encourages self confidence and perseverance. I would highly recommend this film for girls 7-14 or thereabouts. Hope learns that despite challenging times in life, one can succeed and thrive when focused and passionate.
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Great movie! Well worth the time to enjoy! Very original and a delight to experience.
surfacewarrior-4623023 July 2017
All around great movie. I did not expect this fine of a production. No reservations on acting, all were great, you really get pulled into this movie and what Hope does for her Friend will bring you to tears.I recommend this feature to all as it will bring out the best in all of us. I his movie is a real eye opener. It will benefit the entire family, even tough ol dad.
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4/10
Poor script and directing seem to let this one down.
sparhawk_5515 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
While there's a good story here and my 2.5 year old mostly enjoyed it, the script and some performances really let it down. The cinematography is poor in many scenes, and the editing seems pretty amateur (weird jumps, cuts etc). Overdone makeup in almost every scene, even on the young girls, which is totally going to help with body image issues... (#sarcasm). Inane dialogue and block-ish interactions, her parents are like cardboard. Oh, and you'd better like montages, because this movie is basically just montage after montage, with a little dialogue thrown in because 'I guess we needed some dialogue, right'? Which is exactly how much thought was given to the dialogue and character conversations. Really seems more like a school project than a feature film. Can't say I recommend it, at least some of the dancing was good, which is what my 2.5 year old wanted to see anyway. I mean was there really any suspense about whether she would continue playing softball when the movie is titled "Hope Dances" and the only conflict during the movie when she drops softball is her dad pouting for about 2 scenes? They hired a Playgirl model to be a ballet instructor and hang around all those young women?
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2/10
Cute in some aspects but with the most cliché plot
PredRodrigo7 May 2023
"Hope Dances" is a film with a moving story that combines family drama with a passion for dance. While the plot can be pred ictable at times and the characters could have been developed in more depth, the film manages to convey a positive message about the power of perseverance and community. The original soundtrack is remarkable and helps create the right atmosphere in the dance scenes. Overall, " Hope Dances " is an entertaining movie that can be enjoyed by the whole famil y. On a scale of 10, I would give it a rating of 2 for its inspirational message and focus on issue s relevant to youth.
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10/10
Beautifully shot film about girl coming of age
melinda-146-56066322 July 2017
Hope Dances is a sweet and beautifully shot film about the emotions of an adolescent girl growing up with a dream and trying to navigate her way with many pressures. The movie has a big heart and lets us know that by going inside we can find the answers to our passions and purpose. We see that parents can have conflicts too and may confuse their own dreams with those of their children. Many of the scenes are breathtakingly beautiful as we get a glimpse into the scenic backdrop of the Santa Cruz, California area. It is refreshing to see movie for kids with a positive message.
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10/10
Heartwarming movie of a young girls decision in her life
chevys-4909225 August 2017
This movie addresses a situation most kids and early adults deal with in real life. Having to make choices and dealing with the outcome. Trying to put others thoughts and feelings into decisions one has to make. Young girls will associate with the main roles in this movie.Very enjoyable movie to watch with your kids or just the kids by themselves.
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9/10
A Sweet Family Movie and a Visual Treat
daphneo200222 September 2017
Hope Dances is a sweet family movie that celebrates the unabashed dreams of youth and the audacity to pursue them.

Young Hope wants one day to become a professional ballet dancer. On the way to that goal, she hopes to play the lead role in the yearly production of the Nutcracker. But Hope faces obstacles. Her father would rather she pour her physical energies into baseball, at which she also excels. Her mother Is adamant about Hope's prospects in ballet, pushing her to work harder and take her studies more seriously. The film also deals with friendship, jealousy, classroom rivalry and inspiration in the form of a real-life role model.

Almost incidentally, Hope Dances also celebrates the natural beauty of Santa Cruz, from the quaint streets to the boardwalk, from the coastal cliffs to the forest. The cinematography is wonderful; some of the studio scenes are almost magical.

The energetic cast is excellent. The young actors acquit themselves especially well. If you're looking for positive, uplifting family entertainment that is also a visual treat, Hope Dances fills the bill.
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10/10
Hope dances for all young girls with dreams
hayesronda21 August 2017
This movie was so on target for young girls. As a school counselor, I see so many young ladies not reaching for their dreams. This is one movie that encourages them to not stop and to continue to not give up their dreams. I showed this to several young girls, including my granddaughter, and then to my adult friends. They were all encouraged by the film and its family friendliness and the message it presents. I would recommend this movie for families and school counselors.
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9/10
a great film for the whole family to watch together
jameshicken12 September 2017
A story of a very talented girl who is torn between playing baseball and dancing ballet, and she's truly gifted at both. Hope attempts to balance school, baseball, ballet and friends, all while learning about dealing with pressure that comes from pursuing competitive dreams. The film is set in the beautiful Bay Area (CA), and features lots of beautiful locations that add depth to the story. The dancing in the film is also superb. The film does a great job at giving both kids and adults something to think about.
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10/10
Wonderful family movie!
noradoench17 December 2017
Initially I bought this movie because I have a daughter who is interested in dancing and hoped it would inspire her to continue with her new passion. It served its purpose and more. We love the movie and my daughter has watched it four times now...haha. Really good story and really good performances! A good coming of age film for all ages, even us older adult kids.
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9/10
Not your typical tween inspirational movie
sharonmaloy12 September 2017
I first watched Hope Dances with my 8 year old daughter, and then again with her 13 year old sister. They both loved it. This movie was a very pleasant surprise. It is beautifully filmed, with many gorgeous shots of coastal California woven into the story.

The story is about a young girl working to fulfill her dreams, and the conflict arises as her parents pull her in different directions, tragedy strikes someone dear to her, and she faces rejection along her path.

I really appreciated how the movie avoids stereotyping the characters. There is no bullying mean girl, oafish buddy, or evil adult authority figure. When things get difficult for Hope, she learns to seek advice and comfort from a range of trusted advisers including her parents, grandmother, teachers, a mentor, and friends. She needs different kinds of help at different times and wisely seeks a broad base of support to get her through. Characters are shown taking time and making compromises to work through disagreements.

The value of hard work is strongly emphasized here. Hope does not possess magical hidden talent (a tired trope in many movies meant to inspire), but puts in the work to distinguish herself from the many other talented girls she encounters. I would highly recommend this movie for children of any age, but especially for girls from 8-14.
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9/10
A beautiful film about friendship and choices
redcarnelle12 September 2017
This lovely film follows a girl through a challenging time in her life. It is a statement about dedication, commitment, loyalty and character. I especially enjoyed the relationships between the girls in ballet class and between Hope and her two very different parents. They all delivered stellar performances. Everyone in the family will get something out of this touching story. A real gem!
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