Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School

Plot

Frank Keane (Robert Carlyle) is a baker grieving his wife's recent death and living in a near catatonic state. Frank happens upon a car accident and meets the loquacious and insightful victim, Steve Mills (John Goodman). Steve is on his way to an appointment in Pasadena to meet a childhood friend and asks Frank to go in his place. Frank goes in search of Steve's friend and arrives at a ballroom dance class. As the film progresses the story moves back and forth through the timeline of Steve's childhood, the accident scene, and the aftermath of Frank's first Lindy hop.

Steve's friend does not appear at the dance class, and Frank is uncomfortable being in an environment with so many people as a result of his depression. However, he is drawn to shy student Meredith but is cautioned against talking to her by some of the other students. Meredith's partner Randall is the star pupil of the class but is an obnoxious bully who takes an instant dislike to Frank and tries to intimidate him. Frank's friends from grief therapy convince him to continue with the dance class and soon the entire therapy group has joined in. It is also learned throughout the film that Frank's wife committed suicide, and that Frank suffers from depression as a result of his guilt from not being able to see something was wrong with her until it was too late.

As the class progresses Frank is found to have a natural talent for dance that surpasses Randall, who jealously slashes his tires in an attempt to scare the baker off. Frank ignores the attack against the advice of others and forms a friendship with Meredith - who is revealed to be Randall's stepsister rather than abused girlfriend as was initially believed. Meredith defends her stepbrother's behavior, explaining that it stems from the fact their father was a violent man who was physically abusive to them and Randall is overly protective of Meredith as a result.

Frank eventually scatters his wife's ashes; an act he had been unwilling to perform in the past, and begins to put his life back together. He also tracks down Steve's childhood friend to inform her of Steve's passing. Although she acts as if it isn't important, she is later shown looking at childhood pictures of Steve and shedding a tear. Frank and Meredith, along with the other members of the dance class, continue to find friendship and healing in each other.

Cast