Synopsis:

Writing for a "hit" TV sitcom is very easy when all you are doing is dumbing down the story and plotlines and going for the cheap, the stereotypical and the banal. Tomasina (Nicole Ari Parker) has done the best she can for her current assignment and when she attempts to actually make "good" television, she's fired and left to fend for herself in the very competitive world of Television Production. An up and coming Major TV Network is looking to cash in on the burgeoning "Urban Market" by way of hiring its very first Black TV Executive. Enter George Washington. It's the break he's been working for and it appears he's finally getting his shot at the big time. "Tommy" pitches her ideas to George and catches a break with a script she's written entitled "Just Us". Conceding to a minor change in her character design, the contract is signed and the pilot is ordered with 13 more episodes on tap. All thanks to none other than TV Exec, George Washington (Isaiah Washington). The two hit it off and what started off purely professional, quickly becomes personal and the two live and love better than ever before. In preparation for the pilot and indeed the rest of the series, the crew is assembled and, Tommy begins casting the main characters. The last role to be filled is that of the show's young "street-wise" character. After going through every young Black actor on two coasts, Tommy stumbles on a diamond in the rough in the person of James (Vicellous Reon Shannon). Not only does he have the look but he memorizes the script after only one reading and appears to be a natural! Everything is going perfectly. Her show is a huge hit and her love life has never been better. However, While she may be in love with both her success and her man, the Industry is solely in love with ratings. No matter what, if the ratings dip, the show no matter how previously successful, is on its way out the door. The ratings indeed slip and both Tommy and George have very hard decisions to make regarding their continued professional and personal involvement. Dancing in September is one of those "On the inside looking out" kind of features and it is masterfully presented. So much so that I was literally on the edge of my seat as each twist and turn unfolded. In a word, this film is ...superb.

Audio/Video:

The audio for the feature is presented in a DD2.0 platform that while unremarkable in its presentation does a good job in filling the listening space. The video presentation is a very clean anamorphically enhanced widescreen transfer that bore no imperfections that I could detect. Another great effort by HBODVD!

Extras:

There are none.

Overall:

Dancing In September has both a great cast and a great story. It's very engaging and keeps your attention all the way through to the end. If you are in the mood for a drama with "teeth" that speaks to your intellect, Dancing in September is right up your alley! Highly Recommended