Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

I was enchanted from the start. The music gave an air of wonderment that one could only expect to carry throughout the rest of the film. Main character, Bea, was a very sweet woman who was truly loved by her family, even her in-laws.Bea's first song, after her husband had died, was so moving. "Who am I going to cook and clean for ... who's going to balance the check book." It showed so beautifully, how a long married couple can come to rely on each other even for the simple things; even just to be there. Her voice, too, was so weak and shaky, which made it strike an even deeper chord, one that a clear, perfect voice never could have.Then Bea gets whisked off to the Stardust Ballroom by her friends and meets a very interesting man, who seems totally in love with her, if a bit pushy. But, Bea, ever so endearingly old-fashioned keeps him at arms length and sends him home to be sure nothing improper would take place. He's still enchanted. Awwww, how sweet.Ha! That's when everything quite quickly changes, taking every bit of enchantment, beauty and old-fashioned sweetness out of the rest of the film. Bea invites her new beau, Al, up to her bedroom.That may be excusable, and I may move on and still enjoy the remainder, but then the same Al who pursued Bea and got her into bed casually announces he's married and Bea decides they just won't discuss it. Ugh! They go on with their affair and she even tells her family, including grandchildren, that the man she's seeing is married.This was all totally out of character. Taking him to her bedroom was unbelievable in the first place, but when you throw in Al's spouse it is unforgivable. It taints the entire movie and because of this disturbing and completely unnecessary twist I would not recommend it to anybody. The rest of the film would have been infinitely better without Al's wife.

Love in the autumn years is examined in this tender, yet matter-of-fact, TV-movie that is presented as a quasi-musical. Stapleton plays a widow, used to catering to her husband's needs instead of her own, who begins to blossom under the mirror ball of a local dance hall, The Stardust. Reluctant at first to take part in the festivities, she is approached by sweet-natured mailman Durning and coerced into dancing. Soon, she has revitalized her life and herself, sometimes to the consternation of her sister Rae and her two grown children Sanders and Brandon. She and Durning strike up a late in life relationship that includes an unforeseen challenge or two. Stapleton, an actress who can say more than a lot of other ones with merely a glance or a faraway stare, does an excellent job throughout. The nature of the teleplay forces her to speak-sing a couple of numbers and this takes some getting used to, but once that conceit is adjusted to, it becomes less jarring. Durning, who is excellent as well in an atypical role for him, also has to do an internalized number and, like Stapleton, overcomes the obvious lack of a truly strong musical theatre voice. They make a charming and believable pair worth rooting for. Brandon, in a smallish role as Stapleton's long-haired, caring son, establishes a nice rapport with her. Sanders and Rae are on hand to offer some mild antagonism. The ballroom offers a wide array of amusing types, mostly past-their-prime folks who take pleasure in gussying up and tripping the light fantastic with one another. The dancing sequences (which aren't particularly elaborate, but are appropriate) were staged by no less than Marge Champion! In late 1978, this material was reworked a little (most of the songs replaced and new ones added, including the stunning "Fifty Percent") into the one-act Broadway musical "Ballroom", which starred Dorothy Loudon and Vincent Gardenia and was helmed by Michael Bennett. Compared to the smashing success of Bennett's prior "A Chorus Line", the show was deemed a disappointment and closed after 116 performances.

The very fact that I remembered the exact title of this made for TV film after 36 years, says it all for me.It was the first time I had ever seen Charles Durning or Maureen Stapleton as actors in any production, whether movie or television.Their acting was superb -- understated and classy.I was in my 20's when I saw this film and only now am I of a certain age where I can truly appreciate the feelings and emotions represented by these actors -- most of all it is Maureen Stapleton that made an impact on me.A week ago, Maureen Stapleton died and right away, I said, "Queen of the Stardust Ballroom" -- such a good, warm thought to have upon hearing of someone's passing.I would recommend this film to anyone!

The pacing is overly rapid in certain places, Bea's sister and daughter are painted with a cartoonish brush, but the film manages to be genuinely moving and poignant throughout.We are never asked to condone every change Bea makes; only to understand. Maureen Stapleton's human, subtly-keyed performance is the perfect centerpiece. Charles Durning is also wonderful in a role many actors would coast through. Once you see him here you'll never think of him in quite the same way again. These characters are so real, so everyday, that we can feel their joy and sorrow in ways cardboard types can't transmit.The singing is jarring at first, but their shaky voices add to the realistic undertone of the fantasy.Bea's unapologetic stance in her relationship with Al typifies the 70's and the 70's willingness to shake off conventions; I'm not sure if this tv-film would be made today with the same viewpoint.I loved the atmosphere of the Stardust Ballroom, the different relationships and the nostalgia for days gone by. Bea comes alive in a room where most are trying to relive their past glories.Flawless it may not be, but if you want to believe in love, in having a second chance at life no matter what your age is, this is the film to see.