MARILYN HOTCHKISS'
BALLROOM DANCING
AND CHARM SCHOOL

Year: 2005
USA: Samuel Goldwyn Films
UK: Anchor Bay Entertainment UK
Cast: Robert Carlyle, Marisa Tomei, Mary Steenburgen, Donnie Wahlberg, John Goodman, Sean Astin, Danny De Vito, Camryn Manheim, David Paymer, Adam Arkin, Sonia Braga, Elden Henson, Ernie Hudson, Miguel Sandoval
Director: Randall Miller
Country: USA
USA: 103 mins
UK: 104 mins
USA Rated: PG-13 for mature situations and language
UK Certificate: 12A contains one use of strong language and bereavement theme
USA Release Date: 31 March 2006 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 25 August 2006

Synopsis

From a short film created 15 years ago by the director and co-writer Randall Miller and his wife Jody Slavin, MARILYN HOTCHKISS' BALLROOM DANCING AND CHARM SCHOOL is a beautifully heart warming and wonderfully nostalgic film that celebrates the reawakening of the spirit and stars Robert Carlyle as Frank Deane a widower consumed by his wife's death.

Fate intervenes in Frank's life when, on a delivery run in his van, he pulls over on a desolate highway to help a dying stranger, Steve Mills (John Goodman) the man fatally trapped inside. In his dying moments Steve urgently impresses upon Frank he was on route to meet up again with his childhood love from 40 years ago at Marilyn Hotchikiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School where they had originally met.

Frank agrees to deliver Steve's final message of regret at missing the reunion and while there meets Meredith Morrison (Marisa Tomei) a beautiful woman trying to find some inner peace of her own. In conjunction with the infectious world of dance Frank takes the first step in overcoming his grief and learns to open up his heart to the possibility of finding love once again with Meredith's help.