MAN DANCIN’

MAN DANCIN’ is a well crafted, well written, small redemptive movie from the United Kingdom. It opens with Jimmy being released from a Northern Ireland prison after nine years. As he is walking home, he takes a beating intended for his brother. He does not fight back, but it is revealed that he was the toughest boxer who wouldn’t quit, but something changed him in prison.

When the mob chief tries to bring him back into the gang, he won’t do it. When the mob chief’s crony in the police department tries to force him back into crime, he won’t do it. Instead, he takes the lead in a Roman Catholic church Passion play. In the process, he tries to involve, and thereby rescue, some of the broken people he knew before prison, including prostitutes. Eventually, the Passion story becomes his story, as he takes the rap even for his enemies.

MAN DANCIN’ is a gritty, powerful story about redemption. It has clear Christological, allegorical elements. The acting is superb, as is the direction. The script, however, meanders at times, and the low budget shows through briefly. Also, some of the Irish dialogue is unintelligible to American ears. However this movie has had a powerful impact on all who have seen it and is one of the best English gangster films in a long time.