Mad Hot Ballroom

A documentary experience to savor. Warm, funny and very difficult to resist, this engaging film combines the charm of "Spellbound" with the kinetic energy of "Strictly Ballroom" in a way that will make you want to laugh, cry and do a little dancing yourself, maybe all at the same time.

Cute, comical kids help make this ballroom dancing comp-romp a feelgood winner despite inexpert editing.

Listening to the kids talk is a treat in itself, but watching them strut their stuff in the final competition is enough to make you stand up and cheer.

A testament to the discipline, humor, and life of kids who swing.

An uplifting and inspiring tale.

Like "Spellbound's" glimpse of the darker side of childhood competition, Mad Hot Ballroom--a look at New York City schools' fifth-grade ballroom dance program--is best when exploring issues of class and gender and definitions of success.

In contrast to its great title, Mad Hot Ballroom is anything but: Let’s just say I was not spellbound.