SHE DANCES Written by and Starring Steve Zahn His Daughter Audrey Has the Right Steps

This past year, Adam Sandler produced a family drama that starring his daughter proving the apple didn't fall far from the tree. And so goes Steve Zahn's film, "SHE DANCES which stars his daughter, playing his daughter; an aspiring dancer. It would seem in Hollywood nepo babies grow on trees.  It proved fortuitous in "Don't Say Good Luck" for Sandler's daughter who showed us she can act and sing. In SHE DANCES, produced, written by and starring Steve Zahn', Zahn's daughter Audrey has the leading role as Claire, a high school senior and aspiring professional dancer. Claire is about to leave to compete in her final dance competition with her life-long bestie Kat (a captivating Mackenzie Ziegler "Dance Moms"). Just as the girls are about to leave for the dance competition Claire's mom Deb (Rosemarie DeWitt) has to care for her mother from a fall. DeWitt's brief appearance is sadly, only fleeting. However, there's supporting star power in a deeply moving performance by Ethan Hawke. Hawke plays Brian, Jason's best friend and business partner.  Hawke as Jason closest friend proves turns in another tour-de-force performance in a small but pivotal role. Claire's parents are divorced but constructive, co-parents. Deb calls upon Jason to be the chaperone for Claire and Kat. Jason is in the midst of closing a deal to sell his joint brewery business with Brian. Somewhat reluctantly Jason agrees. There appears to be a strain in the relationship between father and daughter which gets played out on the road trip to the competition.  Claire and Kat ride up front and Jason is relegated to the back where his musical requests are ignored. Along the journey, Jason fumbles at being a formidable father. He hits some bumps along the way which relinquish underlying pain and trauma. The sojourn leads to some life pumped back into their relationship along with air into  a flat tire. There's additional tropes whose worn tracks prove affecting and amusing. Glimpses into the world of dance competition are lively, the friendship between Claire and Kat is heartwarming and the dedication by dancers and instructors is inspiring. Shout out to Sonequa Martin-Green who plays the girls longtime dancing coach and Amy Weaver as the girls long-time rival. SHE DANCES is an intelligent and stirring family drama with diverting dances sequences which all ring true and reverberate long after the final pas de deux. Do yourself a favor and savor this well written and exceptionally well acted film that attests to forte found within familial bounds.