Dein Perry's Tap Dogs is a different kind of tap-dance show, emphasizing rugged masculinity, driving rock music, and a set rooted in the Australian steel industry. Now Perry tells his own story in the 2000 autobiographical drama Bootmen. Anyone who saw the summer 2001 blockbuster Pearl Harbor will find a familiar plot: A reckless hotshot tests the patience of his mentor, but his undeniable talent lands him a rare work opportunity. He leaves behind his friends and his girl, and when he returns unexpectedly, he finds that his girl has taken up with his best friend. In this case, the hotshot is hoofer Sean (Adam Garcia, who cofounded the original Tap Dogs troupe and played the lead in the stage version of Saturday Night Fever), and the best friend is his brother, Mitchell (Sam Worthington), who had a one-night stand with his girl (Sophie Lee). Along the way, Sean decides to create his own dance troupe and put on a benefit show, which allows for elements of The Full Monty and Brassed Off (depressed industrial town needs a lift) and October Sky and Billy Elliot (father doesn't approve). OK, so the plot isn't any great shakes, but the dancing is terrific--flashy, hard-edged, and gritty, using steelworks machinery as props. If you're a fan of Tap Dogs, you'll enjoy this backstage look at the troupe, but if you're here just for the dancing, you might prefer to start with the original full-length show. --David Horiuchi
2.
Dein Perry's film directorial debut is a story inspired by the story of his own rise from steelworking in industrial Newcastle, Australia to become a renowned dancer, director and choreographer of the shows TAP DOGS and STEEL CITY. Sean Okden (Adam Garcia) is a dissatisfied young steelworker and rebellious, gifted tap dancer that gets a chance to escape his dead-end job by landing a spot in a big Sydney dance show. Sean's brother, Mitch (Sam Worthington), is also a talented dancer but aspires to start a trucking company--a dream that the young men's tough, lonely father Gary (Richard Carter) has an easier time accepting. The brothers' close relationship is tested when both fall for the beautiful Linda (Sophie Lee), and when Mitch's sideline habit of stealing cars causes trouble with local thugs. Sean's hotheaded ways get him kicked out the Sydney show, but when he returns to Newcastle, he rallies some fellow blue-collar tap school graduates to create a new, cutting-edge dance show. Despite the town's ridicule and his heartbreak over Linda, Sean fights to follow his dream. Perry's film features a cast of talented dancers executing raw, high-energy tap sequences in their steel-plated boots, and a breakout dramatic performance by Garcia.
3.
Coming soon!
Mooviees.com is not the official site for this film.
All editorial views and opinions expressed here are for entertainment purposes only.
<>
Movie Database
In Theaters
