A winning dance film hinges on two key factors: a lithe, attractive cast who can convincingly shimmy and shake, and breathtaking, inventive choreography.
Make it Happen strikes it lucky with leading lady Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who can perform a dizzying array of pirouettes, somersaults, leg kicks and splits without breaking a sweat. Her co-stars are equally flexible, spinning and twisting gracefull
y.
Unfortunately, Darren Grant's modern day fairy-tale loses its footing on the second point, failing to set our hearts racing when the dream-chasing heroine has to prove her worth in the spotlight.
The grandstand finale – a make-or-break second audition at a prestigious dance school – is especially weak.
Lauryn (Winstead) has always nurtured dreams of becoming a professional dancer. Unfortunately, the death of her parents forces a rethink and she resigns herself to keeping the family auto repair shop afloat with brother Joel (John Reardon).
Out of hours, she practises night and day for her audition at the Chicago School of Music and Dance.
Alas, the audition panel is unimpressed by Lauryn's routine. She seeks solace in a café where waitress Dana (Tessa Thompson) takes pity, securing her a job as a bookmaker at Ruby's, the burlesque dance club where Dana performs. When of one the girls calls in sick, manageress Brenda (Karen LeBlanc) gifts Lauryn her chance to shine and the wannabe whips the punters into a frenzy with her body-popping
As Lauryn's confidence soars, she entertains the amorous overtures of handsome music director Russ (Riley Smith).
Make it Happen is a disappointing facsimile of screenwriter Duane Adler's previous films, Save The Last Dance, Step Up and its high-energy sequel. Adler ploughs ahead with his shiny, happy ending, regardless of whether characters deserve it or not.
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