Watch Musical Chairs

Musical Chairs is a heartwarming romantic drama movie that explores the relationships between different people, their dreams, and the challenges they face to achieve their goals. Directed by Susan Seidelman, the movie features an ensemble cast including Leah Pipes, E.J. Bonilla, Priscilla Lopez, Laverne Cox, Auti Angel, Jerome Preston Bates, and Nelson R. Landrieu.

The movie follows the story of Armando (Bonilla), a Puerto Rican man who works at a upscale restaurant in New York City's Upper East Side. Armando has a passion for ballroom dancing and dreams of winning a national competition. However, his life takes a drastic turn when he is involved in a tragic accident that leaves him paralyzed from the waist down.

While recovering in the hospital, he meets Mia (Pipes), a privileged young woman who has been forced to volunteer at the hospital as part of her community service. Despite their differences, they form an unlikely bond and Mia begins to see the world from a different perspective.

As Armando adjusts to his new life in a wheelchair, he decides to continue pursuing his dream of becoming a ballroom dancer. He meets a group of fellow wheelchair users who share his passion for dance and convinces the owner of the local community center to let them use the space to practice. With the help of his dance partner, Tonia (Angel), Armando starts to prepare for a dance competition.

Meanwhile, Mia becomes increasingly involved in Armando's world and starts to develop feelings for him. As their relationship deepens, they face obstacles ranging from their own insecurities to the disapproval of Mia's upper-class family. In the end, they must decide whether to follow their hearts or to make decisions based on what other people expect of them.

One of the movie's strengths is its portrayal of disabled dancers who are often overlooked by mainstream media. The wheelchair dance scenes are captivating and show the dancers' talent and passion. Furthermore, the movie's themes of perseverance, inner strength, and defying expectations are relatable and inspiring.

The movie also tackles issues of race and class in a subtle but effective way. Armando's Puerto Rican identity and Mia's privileged background lead to friction in their relationship, but they are able to overcome these obstacles and find common ground. Additionally, the diverse cast brings a richness and authenticity to the story that is often missing in Hollywood movies.

The acting in Musical Chairs is strong overall, with standout performances from Bonilla and Pipes. Bonilla's portrayal of Armando is nuanced and powerful, conveying the character's physical and emotional struggles with sensitivity and depth. Pipes' portrayal of Mia's transformation from a shallow socialite to a compassionate ally is convincing and heartfelt. The supporting cast also delivers solid performances, with special mention to Priscilla Lopez's portrayal of Armando's mother, who is both fiercely protective and loving.

In terms of cinematography, Musical Chairs is polished and visually engaging. The movie's numerous dance sequences are shot beautifully, with dynamic camera angles that convey the mood and energy of the dances. The scenes in hospitals and community centers are also well-shot, with attention to detail in the environments and lighting.

Overall, Musical Chairs is a poignant, uplifting movie that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The movie's themes of resilience, love, and the power of the human spirit are universal and resonate with viewers of all backgrounds. The film's creative exploration of ballroom dance and wheelchair dancing is a welcome addition to the world of cinema, shedding light on a world that is often ignored.

Musical Chairs is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7 and a MetaScore of 46.