NEXT BEST PICTURE: She Dances - Film Review

We’ve all seen stories about fathers trying to reconnect with their teenage daughters for whatever reason, but how often do we see these characters portrayed by real-life fathers and daughters? In Director Rick Gomez’s “She Dances,” a recent Tribeca premiere, we get just that. In this case, recognizable actor and Emmy nominee Steve Zahn (who co-wrote the film with Gomez) is acting alongside his daughter, Audrey, making her film acting debut. It’s a revelatory performance, making her opening title credit of “introducing Audrey Zahn” even more impactful. Despite her father’s memorable screen roles over the years, it’s difficult to call Audrey a stereotypical nepo baby, especially as, with this role, she has already cemented herself as a star on the rise. And, while we’ve seen these types of stories before, the personal nature of it and the committed performances from the Zahns (especially Audrey) make it a worthwhile watch.

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For an indie film, David Morrison’s cinematography is surprisingly innovative, including two excellent uses of split-screen that bookend each other in an emotionally impactful manner. Also, a couple of mini-montage scenes help ensure a steady pacing, making the 93 minutes fly by. However, despite its brief length, a side story involving a fellow competitor seems unnecessary and detracts from the central father-daughter relationship.

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Cinematography by David R. Morrison.