Barlow, a young contemporary dancer, is often overlooked but keeps her chin up in the face of her disappointments. She is a phenomenal dancer who just needs a chance to show the world what she can do. The problem is, that chance keeps slipping out of reach. Eventually, she decides to believe in herself and to do her best in whatever role she is in. In doing so, she finds peace and breakthrough.
Charlie is in a similar situation. He is an incredible pianist who can play anything on the piano; he also just needs someone to notice. Eventually, choreographer and producer Zander notices the two performers and gives them a chance on his hit Broadway production Free Dance. It’s a critical moment in Barlow and Charlie’s careers, one that leads to some amazing ups and downs.
The plot of High Strung, Free Dance is simple: two young, unknown artists who jump at every chance to make it on Broadway finally catch their break—and find love in the process. The choreography, however, is anything but simple. Dance enthusiasts can expect scene after scene of exquisite contemporary, modern, and hip-hop dance. If that wasn’t enough, talented musicians present a piano-driven score that equally inspires.
High Strung, Free Dance is a film made for artists by artists (producers/writers Michael and Janeen Damian, have experience in professional dance and Broadway). It feels like a Broadway performance itself with a heavy emphasis given to showing the artists at work. That being said, it’s a little hard at times to decipher the details of story and a few of the subplots are never fully resolved. The focus of the film is on showcasing the choreography, and the music and this film does not disappoint.
As far as content goes, this film met Dove’s standards except for a handful of overly provocative dance scenes and a few uses of inappropriate language. Due to these factors, High Strung, Free Dance is not Dove-Approved.
The Dove Take
A simple plot with stunning choreography, High Strung, Free Dance is a beautiful film that celebrates the passion of Broadway performers but includes content that may not be appropriate for its PG rating.
