Tetrady
not as good as all the hype
Twilightfa
Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.
Darin
One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.
moonspinner55
Maureen Stapleton plays a middle-aged widow in the Bronx who gets invited out for an evening with the girls to a local ballroom for elderly hoofers; there, she meets portly, starry-eyed Charles Durning, whose adoration makes her feel good about herself for the first time since her husband was alive. Acclaimed TV-movie approaches some interesting subjects (a sister's jealousy, an overprotective daughter's anger, a romance blooming in the autumn of a woman's years), and yet the plastic coating over this production is so thick that little of it rings true. The ballroom itself, filled to capacity with wily men eager to get out there and strut there stuff, may be a metaphor for the lives of its graying dancers--Last Chance For Happiness--but the collection of colorful characters Stapleton meets there are a romanticized group. Writer Jerome Kass even throws in the gambit of sung lyrics used as innermost thoughts, when what his teleplay really needs is some casual, natural interaction (there's really only one sequence which achieves this, a scene between Stapleton and son Michael Brandon doing the dishes). Although the people are phonied-up, the performances are generally likable, particularly Durning's. But who can take that ending seriously? Not after 90 minutes of sonnets, soliloquies and stardust!
evastaitz-10474
the story is wonderful, dancing superb and the acting excellent. i first saw this 40 years ago; i was 30 and have seen it many times over all those years. why has this not been put on a DVD? it truly is a masterpiece. i wonder if anyone is imaginative enough to see that this gets another release at a movie house or community centers including senior centers. i viewed it on you tube this time. try it, you will like it!
kcarr97
I wish that IMDb.com would have added the soundtrack listing because the songs and melodies were so beautiful.I enjoyed the film immensely for the nostalgia, for a moment to see Maureen Stapleton & Charles Durning once more, for the lovely, wistful songs and much more.Like many audiences, I would have appreciated the ending to be more upbeat. Maureen was only 48 yrs old at the time she performed in this film and I assumed she was playing a 50 to 55 year old lady, therefore, it was not necessary to end the relationship in such a sorrowful way because this is not a normal age for a person to pass away, although it certainly does happen.I think it would have been more realistic to show that middle and old age is not just for dying. There is still a lot to learn and time to grow. It's been said, "It's never too late to change your life (or fall in love)".The choice for them to end the movie as they did was not a major flaw, however.It was still a terrific movie and one I had not seen before. Hope they show it on TV again in the near future.
nlaw123
The very fact that I remembered the exact title of this made for TV film after 36 years, says it all for me.It was the first time I had ever seen Charles Durning or Maureen Stapleton as actors in any production, whether movie or television.Their acting was superb -- understated and classy.I was in my 20's when I saw this film and only now am I of a certain age where I can truly appreciate the feelings and emotions represented by these actors -- most of all it is Maureen Stapleton that made an impact on me.A week ago, Maureen Stapleton died and right away, I said, "Queen of the Stardust Ballroom" -- such a good, warm thought to have upon hearing of someone's passing.I would recommend this film to anyone!
