'Mad Hot Ballroom': 5th-graders step gracefully to the head of the class

There are more unexpected things than seeing supposedly streetwise fifth-graders happily pairing up to dance the merengue, tango, rumba, swing and foxtrot like little ladies and gentlemen, but few that could be much more delightful.

That word perfectly describes Mad Hot Ballroom, a documentary about 11-year-olds in the New York City Public Schools learning ballroom dance and advancing to the annual districtwide competition.

Paramount Classics 'Mad Hot Ballroom' A The verdict: You won't need to care a bit about ballroom dancing to enjoy watching. Director: Marilyn Agrelo Starring: Rodney Lopez, Victoria Malvagno, Yomaira Reynoso, Allison Sheniak, Alex Tchassov Run time: 105 minutes Release date: May 13, 2005 Rating: PG for some thematic elements. See showtimes On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate "Mad Hot Ballroom"   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

Inspired by screenwriter Amy Sewell's brief newspaper feature in 2003 about one school's participation in the free semester-length enrichment course, director Marilyn Argelo's feature-length debut is impossible to resist.

Unobtrusively, but with penetrating and sweet insights into their lives, feelings and hopes, it follows kids from many different backgrounds and three very different schools as they conquer reluctance, clumsiness and some mismatched pairings to develop grace, confidence and pride.

There's no way you won't smile as the boys talk about girls, the girls talk about boys, both turn their sneakers toward each other and get close under firm but gentle coaching to songs their great-grandparents may have known. Their teachers from the American Ballroom Theatre pass on inspiration along with the steps.

There's no way you won't grin seeing the kids gulp a bit as they try to forge "eye-to-eye connections" with their partners or learn to remain composed from the waist up while swaying their generally compact hips in the merengue.

If kids like the remarkably smooth Wilson from Washington Heights, swing-happy Tara from Tribeca and short, round and chatty Michael from Bensonhurst are the stars, so is New York City and all its amazing diversity.

The common perception is that urban schoolkids are disadvantaged. The poverty rate is well above 90 percent in the neighborhood of Dominican immigrants around Public School 115. But there's no hint of that on the dance floor as five-couple teams from competing schools advance toward the finals. Only one of them will impress judges, including Broadway star Ann Reinking, enough to win the trophy.

You won't have to be a ballroom expert to guess before then which school might win. Its dancers are good and well-matched.

You won't need to care a bit about ballroom dancing to enjoy watching. You will smile.

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