DVD Reviews
DVD Review: How She Move
By June L.
May 1, 2008, 15:50 GMT

A good story of young people battling odds, mixed with incredible dance moves set against music that will have your heart pounding is just the beginning of the recipe that makes How She Move such a good movie. 

This is the story of Raya (Rutina Wesley) who has big dreams of one day becoming a doctor.  For the moment her dreams have been snatched away, her sister who recently passed away was an addict, and her care has used up all the family finances. 

There is no money for the private school that Raya was counting on to help her win a scholarship to medical school.  Returning to her old neighborhood, one might expect Raya to sink into apathy, but she is a fighter. 

She searches for a way to get what she wants, and re-connects with friends who are into competitive step dancing.  In a short while, Raya is on a step team headed for the biggest competition Step Monster, with a prize of $50,000.

More than just a dance movie, How She Move explores the relationships among young people in a very competitive activity.  Also we see how important the role of family is in keeping dreams alive and encouraging young people to seek better things for themselves.  All of Raya’s family are hurting from the death of her sister Pam. 

It has frozen her parent’s relationship with each other and has turned Raya into a driven person.  She feels she has to escape her old surroundings and bring her family’s wounded spirits back to happiness.  There is a lot of pressure on this young woman, and to the credit of Rutina Wesley as an actress, she conveys the stress of this life perfectly. 

We ache for Raya to find a way to see her dreams come true.  We hurt with her when she makes mistakes, and cheer on her successes.  Rutina Wesley brings out Raya’s goodness and strength and makes the audience fall in love with her…..from the very beginning scenes.

The dancing in How She Moves is nothing short of amazing.  From street performances to the on-stage competition the audience is treated to the very best of step dancing.  Bishop (Dwain Murphy) and his group get things started with “My Boots” (by Montell Jordan) performed on the street, just for entertainment. 

Raya sees this and it leads her back to the dancing that she does so well.  There of course are hurdles in the way, guys in the group don’t want a girl, and then the girl’s group doesn’t understand why Raya won’t join them. 

It is touchy for quite some time, but eventually things seem to come together.  Like most good real-life stories, not everything is perfect, so you believe that this is truly happening.  Good job!

How She Move is presented on single disc, with a running time of 91 minutes.  There is a wealth of special features.  First up is a featurette The Characters of How She Move, which has interviews with the talented cast of newcomers.  It is fascinating to hear their opinions and thoughts about characterization or motivation.  They take their work seriously and it shows in the performance. 

Next is a featurette How She Move from Rehearsal to Film, taking you backstage and showing just how hard everyone works to achieve those amazing steps and routines.  Finally there is How She Move: Telling Her Story, which tells how the story of Raya is brought to film.  The movie is given a PG-13 rating for some drug content, suggestive material and language.  

How She Move is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.