Too much of everything

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

The geriatric community congregate at New York City's Roseland ballroom to dance the night away. A widow(Teresa Wright)finds love again. Three women(Geraldine Chaplin, Helen Gallagher, and Joan Copeland)adore a young man(Christopher Walkin)who "services" their needs(whether it be companionship, sex, or dancing). German Rosa(Lilia Skala), formerly a maid and waitress, recounts her elderly dancing partner(David Thomas)and the disappointment of never achieving the goal of winning the Peabody contest. Exceptional performances in a bittersweet series of tales regarding old folks in the twilight of their lives. I can't recall Chaplin ever being more beautiful and elegant, even if she's a bit of a chore(her character demands that Walken's gigolo Russel revolve his life around her, a compromise he's not so willing to indulge)for those around her. Helen Gallagher is a dance instructor, Cleo, who tries to seduce Walken back into dancing professionally, and she is always doting on him(as is the sickly Pauline(Joan Copeland), who cherishes Russel's company and attention). Lilia Skala is a hoot as the constantly complaining Rosa, who so desperately craves the Peabody reward, but, when it seems Arthur, her partner, has finally prepared for them to participate in the contest, she backs out, and her dream is never realized. Most tragic scene has a winning couple celebrating only for the old man to drop dead soon after receiving the trophy! Teresa Wright fans should eat up her story at the beginning of the film..it's the most irresistible of the three tales. Directed by renowned director James Ivory(Howard's End). Major emphasis on dancing and features almost exclusively an older cast. The soft focus lighting gives ROSELAND a fairy tale quality that's endearing.

'Roseland' is a film made up of three separate stories set in the legendary Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan. The first, entitled 'The Waltz' features the wonderful Teresa Wright as a widow who comes to Roseland in order to sustain the memory of her late husband. She meets Stan (Lou Jacobi), who offers her an opportunity for happiness in the present. 'The Hustle' concerns Christopher Walken as a gigolo with three women in his life, all of whom depend on him for different degrees of romance and companionship. In the final story, 'The Peabody,' an older woman (Lilia Skala) sets out to win a dance competition despite warnings that it could endanger her health.All three segments are sensitive portrayals of different kinds of lonely people seeking some sort companionship and/or fulfillment. Out of the three, only 'The Waltz' is truly memorable, thanks to the great performances from Wright and Jacobi. The performances in the other two are good, but don't top those in the first.The cinematography captures the dance floor activities wonderfully, and the entire film has an eerie, otherworldly quality to it. It's as if when these people step off the cruel New York streets, they are transported into another world. A world that is full of music, romance, and possibilities.

This is one of those movies that is sentimental, without being cloying. AI is another that comes to mind. As a result, it has great emotional depth, even though there are no dramatically emotional scenes. In fact, each ministory involves an important connection and separation that is made, each without fanfare. Each segment has a riveting performance by an actor so deep in character that you wonder how they ever got out! Walken gives what might be his best performance. He makes you feel like you can almost see his soul, but he always just hides it from you.Roseland is also a wonderful tribute to the joys and despairs that addict people to clubbing, whatever their age and era and talent level. Most dance movies bend over backwards to lend significance to some dancer or pair of dancers, often improbably. Roseland is interested in the way even the most indifferent and untalented of dancers can express themselves somehow wholeheartedly on a dance floor.

Maybe I wouldn't have bought the movie if I'd seen the low voting-rate here. But I read the three bones in the Videohounds and got curious for Roseland, New Yorks famous old ballroom, filled up with mostly older dance-lovers, often looking for some company. Two bitter-sweet stories in the Ginger y Fred-style open and end. The middle part "Hustle" has Christopher Walken - who in his youth was dreaming of becoming a dancer - as the young darling gigolo for the older ladies. Walken plays a brilliant part here (just before his Deer Hunter-fame), you believe him right away. As the younger Geraldine Chaplin offers her love, house and help, he gratefully accept it,but when she tries to force things and make him think of him and her alone she loses easily from a golden watch. We've seen a lot of dancing-movies alright, but especially the genuine atmosphere with regular customers as the extra's, gives Roseland some unforgettable moments. 9 out of 10 is rather high, but boy, you have to fight against these poor ratings!