As the opening credits of Dancing In September roll, viewers are taken down memory lane, with film clips from a variety of old television shows featuring minorities such as the weekly father and son face-off, Sanford And Son, the epitome of family comedy, The Bill Cosby Show, and the Barrio sitcom Chico & The Man. From there, the viewer is taken to faded scenes from the childhood of the two main characters, Thomasina Crawford (Nicole Ari Parker) and George Washington, (Isaiah Washington) both of whom grew up in the '70s glued to the television set. After having seen the series Roots, Thomasina (Tommy) decides that it is her mission in life to bring quality, meaningful, television to the masses. George, on the other hand, idolizes the slick, entertainment quality of Good Times.

Many years later, Tommy is a struggling staff writer for a sitcom whose quality standards are not appreciated by her Producer and result in her getting fired. George is trying to work his way up the executive ladder with an upstart network for alternative programming similar to FOX. They meet when Tommy is given the opportunity to present her idea for a thoughtful legal comedy/drama called "Just Us," a play on the word justice. George is more impressed by Tommy's beauty and brains than the pitch, but is able to convince the network brass to feature the show in Fall lineup.

Woven into to the story is the subplot of a charismatic ex-gang member, James (Vicellous Reon Shannon), who is trying to support his girlfriend and baby by selling candy bars on the street, until he is discovered by Tommy and given the chance at a starring role in her series. The series is an instant hit due to James' streetwise charm, but Tommy is immediately pressured to boost ratings by resorting to slapstick comedy and silly catch phrases such as James' trademark "Keep It Real," accompanied by exclamatory body language.

On the coattails of the series' success, Tommy and George begin to develop a romantic relationship which is threatened when ratings begin to slip, James' star status begins to breed a dangerous arrogance, and George's ambitions prevent him from fighting to keep the show on the air. All of these situations combine to create a formula for disaster and lead to a senseless tragedy that portrays television in it's worst possible light.

Dancing In September is certainly not the first film to take jabs at the television industry, with predecessors like Network and Bamboozled. However, in attempting to combine the social consciousness of the struggle of minorities in the television industry, along with the abuses and excesses of the system, it comes across at times, a bit too heavy handed.

Bright spots in the film include the performances by Nicole Ari Parker (a Halle Berry clone) and Isaiah Washington, who give above average performances in their respective roles. Vicellous Reon Shannon, true to his image in the fictional television series, steals the show in the movie as well with his excellent character acting and stage presence.

Overall, Dancing In September is an entertaining comedy/drama, that takes a realistic look at the television industry, and in some ways mimics it's flaws. The ending comes across as a bit too contrived as Screenwriter Reggie Rock Blythewood tries to find a way to get in a final jab on television violence. Unfortunately, the result undercuts the entertainment and romance features of the film, and makes it just another run of the mill attempt at a statement on social consciousness.





Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older