Isabelle Dances Into the Spotlight (2014)

Isabelle Dances Into the Spotlight is a movie starring Erin Pitt, Melora Hardin, and Grace Davidson. Nine-year-old Isabelle is an inspired dancer with a flair for fashion design. She's thrilled to be studying ballet at a prestigious performing arts school, but her classmates are so ... See full summary »

Director:

Vince Marcello

Writers:

Jessica O'Toole, Amy Rardin

Stars:

Erin Pitt, Melora Hardin, Grace Davidson

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Erin Pitt	...	Isabelle Palmer
Melora Hardin	...	Nancy Palmer
Grace Davidson	...	Jade Palmer
Genneya Walton	...	Renata
Devyn Nekoda	...	Luisa
Jake Simons	...	Leo Palmer
Rex Harrington	...	Drosselmeyer
Tanya Howard	...	Jackie Sanchez
Daniel Fathers	...	Mr. Kosoloff
Sarah Murphy-Dyson	...	Ms. Hawken
Francisco Trujillo	...	Uncle Davi
Saara Chaudry	...	Chloe
Alyssa Trask	...	Emma
Danielle Ching	...	Dancer One
Kolton Stewart	...	Lead Singer

Storyline

Nine-year-old Isabelle is an inspired dancer with a flair for fashion design. She's thrilled to be studying ballet at a prestigious performing arts school, but her classmates are so talented - and she can't help feeling that she's always in the shadow of her "perfect" older sister, Jade. So when her idol, a famous ballerina, encourages her to audition for a professional ballet, Isabelle isn't sure she can land the role. And when a competitive classmate starts pointing out Isabelle's every mistake, her confidence sinks even further. Can she find the courage to step into the spotlight and discover her own way to shine?

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Plot Keywords:

ballet | sister relationship | bullying | american girl | female protagonist | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 July 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

An American Girl: Isabelle Dances into the Spotlight

Filming Locations:

Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Martin Chase Productions, Pinckney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie is based on the series by Laurence Yep.

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Goofs

Many aspects of the Nutcracker rehearsals and show are not accurate. As many companies do multitudes of shows, there tend to be multiple children casts that all perform with the same company of adults. The movie insinuates that there is only one child cast. Rehearsals are also not so choppy as to what is being rehearsed. One days worth of rehearsal for the kids would be spent on one scene, like the party scene, meaning only those kids would need to be there. There would also be specific rehearsals for only the Claras. Finally, during the show, there is no way the backstage assistants (or whoever was in charge of the kids (as there usually is a parent in charge of the kids in a certain role)) would have made sure Isabelle was changed and ready in her solider costume before being able to watch her sister, if she had been able to at all. Also Jackie Sanchez would know to be in costume by the time the snowflakes are dancing. The snowflakes are the last dance of the first act. Jackie, as the Sugar Plum Princess would have already been in costume as she is on soon into the second act and would want to take the opportunity during intermission to warm up with the Prince.

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Connections

Follows McKenna Shoots for the Stars (2012)

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Soundtracks

U R Your Own Star
Written by Charity Daw and Josh Edmondson
Performer: Kolton Stewart & Morgan Hilliker
Produced by Josh Edmondson

User Reviews

Ballet, Dance, and Heart from American Girl

This latest movie from American Girl is the gift you give to your daughter, granddaughter, or niece who loves ballet and dance, because Isabelle not only dances into the spotlight but also on the screen for most of the film! While the previous two American Girl movies of recent years focused on a specific talent (gymnastics with McKenna and painting with Saige), this one really, really focuses on ballet, so ballet students will feel right at home with all the dancing, ballet terms, rehearsals, and of course, the production of The Nutcracker (which any and all dancers could probably do in their sleep). For non-ballerina girls, it's still good fun, but ballet girls will especially enjoy and identify with it.

The production is very handsome and colorful, this being director Vince Marcello's third consecutive outing with American Girl. It looks and feels very much like McKenna and Saige, which means there are plenty of giggle scenes and lots and lots of sweetness, quite a bit more than in the earlier AG films that were based on the historical dolls.

Yes, some could comment on the sugary approach or the giggle dialogue, but here's the deal. American Girl is one of the only companies in the known world producing clean, wholesome, innocent entertainment for children. I am very glad they continue to dance in the spotlight with fun and suitable family viewing. It's sweet and heartfelt, and our children need as much of that as they can get. Thanks, AG!