Stepping Out

1991 "Your dreams are just a step away"
6.4| 1h46m| PG| en| More Info
Released: 11 October 1991 Released
Producted By: Paramount
Country:
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

Mavis (Liza Minnelli) was a chorus line dancer on Broadway. Just as she was on the verge of getting more prominent roles, she fell in love. Her full-of-himself boyfriend moved them to Buffalo, far from the theater scene. As a musician, he plays with a band in the local clubs, often with the very talented Mavis singing at his elbow. But, they are just two bit players, mostly because of his total lack of ambition. On the side, Mavis runs a dance studio for ordinary folks. In her classes, among others, are a lovely nurse, a librarian, a lady with an overbearing husband, a lady with an unemployed son, a bossy middle aged housewife (Julie Walters) and a lone, divorced, very shy male. The studio pianist is a strong-willed senior (Shelley Winters). One day, a woman who operates a more prominent dance school in Buffalo invites Mavis and her class to perform a number in a charity dance recital.

Genre

Drama, Comedy, Music

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Director

Lewis Gilbert

Production Companies

Paramount

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Stepping Out Audience Reviews

GamerTab That was an excellent one.
Nonureva Really Surprised!
Claysaba Excellent, Without a doubt!!
Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
raypdaley182 I know this went to video in the UK VERY quickly. Why? Because I must have rented it more than 50 times from my local video store when I was in the RAF.Initially I was renting it as a Julie Walters fan (of stuff like Personal Services, Just Like A WOman) and I enjoyed it. Probably a lot more than I should have done.But then again tell me it's got women in tight shiny Lycra and heck I'll watch it. Julie gives a brilliant performance and does look very nice. Most of the ladies do in fact.Liza looks amazing (I told you I was probably watching it for all the wrong reasons!) and plays her role predictably enough. Shelley Winters brings a lot to a role that hasn't got much to do.I adore Maxine (and then I found out she was Audrey in "Little Shop Of Horrors" and that was why, I loved her in that too!). Canada makes a pretty convincing New York and the film is not too sappy in it's feel good role to be over sweet.Liza has her horrible guy, but then everyone in the group seems to have some problem or another in their lives so there's going to be at least one of them you can sort of relate to.Obviously it all works out well in the end and it's more than good enough to hold up to several viewings. It's amazing that it's never been released on DVD (I'd buy it in a heartbeat) and I'm watching it again today as they showed on UK TV.Generally its a very good movie that so many haven't heard of and it gets overlooked when it really shouldn't. You don't need to be a dance fan to enjoy this film. Heck, I'm a straight guy who isn't much for dancing but I love it and enjoy it every time I watch it.Well worth a look if you haven't seen it before.
movibuf1962 I loved "Stepping Out." If you chose not to, you're more than entitled (as people who hate so much around these websites are wont to say), but for God's sakes, get the facts right. The company of dancers in question does not "put on a show" in this movie. That's something that star Liza Minnelli's mother did in films over sixty-seven years ago. (Gosh, people's obvious prejudices against musical films is so sadly obvious here.) The company of working class, small community tappers PARTICIPATE in a benefit show already established by a haughty committee muckety-muck who makes her bias against Mavis Turner's awkward, beginning dance class painfully apparent. And there's your heartbeat of this very small, unassuming film. Shot on Canadian locations disguised to simulate upstate New York, STO is actually more in tune with the plot of A CHORUS LINE than any Mickey-Judy film. The obvious difference is that the dancers are not professional. They tap in a church hall after hours, after their regular jobs and family matters. It's their single emotional release, and the thing that makes them feel like kings. And while the film does not literally delve into the life of each dancer individually, it paints enough of an ensemble portrait to make you realize that these folks support each other, lean on each other, and love one another unconditionally, almost like a second family. I suppose the sentimental nature of that premise is too much for a lot of modern cynics to take, but there it is. Minnelli's plucky Mavis is the only real professional amongst them; she almost became a star, but didn't quite make it. Minnelli, in fact, has one lovely, CHORUS LINE-like moment in the film where she dances a solo to the title number (spotlight, mirrors, and all), then has to explain to a single eavesdropper how she briefly touched dance stardom before quietly, somewhat brokenly, retiring to Buffalo. But she truly believes in her dancers and is the perfect cheerleader and counselor to them in the end. And there is a fine, somewhat surprising epilogue which formally shows off the dance family- wonderfully represented by Ellen Greene, Andrea Martin, Bill Irwin, Julie Walters, Carol Woods, Jane Krakowski, Sheila McCarthy, and Robyn Stevan. It truly is a feel-good movie. In fact, it's a feel terrific movie.
BumpyRide This must have been a left over script that Judy turned down, so they dusted it off and gave it to Liza instead. Typical Garland/Rooney story, where a dance troop decides to put on a show, in this case, for a charity. This movie isn't bad, but it gets off to a slow start, and finally becomes entertaining at the end. Of course there are a few dance numbers thrown in for Liza to demonstrate that she can still sing and dance in 1991! She looked too thin, and her complexion wasn't healthy looking. Knowing what we know now, you can probably guess what was up with her looks. The rest of the cast is okay, but I wouldn't want to spend any more time with them. The secondary players weren't that compelling, nor for that mater, was Liza's character.
Sheila-12 Often incorrectly classified as a musical, "Stepping Out" is actually a delightful comedy-drama with an excellent ensemble cast. British playwright Richard Harris has Americanized his script and added more detailed plot developments for this film version. It's suitable for the whole family, and definitely worth renting (some night when you don't feel like "Stepping Out"). Everyone is bound to have a favorite in the cast, whether it's Liza herself, veteran actress Shelley Winters, comedian Bill Irwin, or "Ally McBeal's" Jane Krakowski. All turn in hilariously touching performances -- and yes, there is a song-and-dance number at the end, for all you Liza fans! Once you've watched, you'll want everyone to see "Stepping Out"!