A winning dance film hinges on two key factors: a lithe, attractive cast who can convincingly shimmy and shake, and breathtaking, inventive choreography.

Make It Happen strikes it lucky with leading lady Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who trained as a dancer and can perform a dizzying array of pirouettes, somersaults, leg kicks and splits without breaking sweat.

Co-stars are equally flexible, spinning and twisting gracefully with all manner of props including umbrellas and a microphone stand.

Unfortunately, Darren Grant’s modern day fairy-tale loses its footing on the second point, failing to set our hearts racing when the dream-chasing heroine has to prove her worth in the spotlight with her self-taught amalgam of acrobatics, ballet, street dance and burlesque.

The grandstand finale – a make-or-break second audition at a prestigious dance school – is especially weak, busting many of the same moves, which so displeased the waspish tutors the first time round.

When the film’s token bitch on heels snarls, ‘You shouldn’t be on that stage,’ we’re reluctantly inclined to agree.

Lauryn (Winstead) has always nurtured dreams of becoming a professional dancer.

Unfortunately, the death of her parents forces a rethink and Lauryn resigns herself to keeping the family auto repair shop afloat with brother Joel (John Reardon) by working as the company bookkeeper.

Out of hours, she practices night and day for her audition at the Chicago School of Music & Dance.

Alas, the audition panel is unimpressed by Lauryn’s routine.

She seeks solace in a cafe where waitress Dana (Tessa Thompson) takes pity on Lauryn, offering her a place to crash and securing her a job as a bookmaker at Ruby’s, the burlesque dance club where Dana performs with attention-seeking Carmen (Julissa Bermudez) and Brooke (Ashley Roberts).

When of one the girls calls in sick, sassy club manageress Brenda (Karen LeBlanc) gifts Lauryn her chance to shine and the wannabe whips the punters into a frenzy with her body-popping, to Carmen’s chagrin.

‘Beginner’s luck,’ smiles Lauryn.

‘Beginner, you got that right,’ cattily retorts the club’s star performer.

As Lauryn’s confidence soars, she entertains the amorous overtures of handsome music director Russ (Riley Smith).

Make It Happen is a disappointing facsimile of screenwriter Duane Adler’s previous films, Save The Last Dance, Step Up and its high-energy sequel.

Characters are caricatures, even Lauryn, and dialogue sounds more like greetings cards platitudes than natural, flowing conversation, particularly the nauseating romance between the heroine and her musical beau.

A scene in which they listen to his first self-penned track, a mess of samples, loops and electronic beeps, is unintentionally hilarious as Lauryn coos copious compliments.

Winstead’s vapid belle overcomes obstacles with surprisingly little resistance as screenwriter Adler ploughs ahead with his shiny, happy ending, regardless of whether characters deserve it or not.

• Release Date: Friday 8 August 2008
• Certificate: PG
• Runtime: 90mins

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