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Every Little Step

EMAILPRINTSony Pictures Classics

Every Little Step reviews
76
7.7 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 24 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 10 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Documentary

Written by:

Directed by: Adam Del Deo
James D. Stern

Release Date:
Theatrical: April 17, 2009
DVD: October 13, 2009

Running Time: 96 minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: PG-13 for some strong language including sexual references

Starring Bob Avian, Michael Bennett, Charlotte d'Amboise, Ramon Flowers, Jessica Lee Goldyn, Marvin Hamlisch, Megan Larche, and Donna McKechnie

Every Little Step explores the incredible journey of A Chorus Line from ambitious idea to international phenomenon. It compares and contrasts the original musical with the current revival. It investigates the societies in which they’ve debuted, and why the themes are so timeless and universal. Finally, it goes behind the scenes with exclusive interviews and footage of the revival’s audition process, revealing the dramatic journey of the performers, and unfolding a story of life imitating art. (Sony Pictures Classics)

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

A movie as layered and enthralling as its subject.

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100

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

How long has it been since a movie left you literally speechless?

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100

San Francisco Chronicle David Wiegand

The film is as much about the creation of the original show back in 1975 and the genius of the late Michael Bennett, who masterminded it, as it is about the newer version.

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100

Miami Herald Connie Ogle

Sensational documentary.

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100

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Stephen Cole

An uncommonly tender and observant documentary on the phenomenon that is "A Chorus Line."

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90

Washington Post Peter Marks

A thoroughly engrossing documentary.

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88

Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips

It's a big ice cream sundae, this one -- not great documentary filmmaking but tasty all the way.

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80

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

It's a can't-miss effort that knows how to please.

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80

The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt

The result is an insightful, exuberant, probing, long-winded and even exhausting look at what it takes for a performer to have a life in the theater.

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80

The New York Times A.O. Scott

The premise of Every Little Step is no less inspired for seeming so simple and obvious, and it pays tribute to the durability and continued relevance of “A Chorus Line,” which first opened in New York in 1975, before many of the performers in the movie were born.

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80

Salon.com Andrew O'Hehir

Given that "Chorus Line" is almost the paradigmatic backstage story, I guess Every Little Step is a meta-backstage story, capturing the "American Idol"-scale audition process.

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80

NPR Bob Mondello

The result? A briskly self-aware, thoroughly stage-struck portrait of a theatrical portrait.

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75

Rolling Stone Peter Travers

A thrilling combination of documentary and musical dazzler.

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75

Boston Globe Wesley Morris

In Every Little Step, the performers bleed, sweat, cry theater - without having to tell us.

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75

Philadelphia Inquirer Carrie Rickey

Do you need to have seen A Chorus Line to understand or enjoy Every Little Step? I think not. This companion piece to one of America's most beloved musicals is about human longings and shortfalls.

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75

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

What we sense in the film is the camaraderie among these hopeful dancers. They've all been through the process before, all been disappointed before, all know better than anyone else what it takes, all believe the best candidates don't always win the jobs.

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75

Portland Oregonian Shawn Levy

An unexpectedly charming little film.

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70

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

Modeling the movie after the show itself grows problematic near the end, when Stern and Del Deo, anticipating that climactic, gold-suited kick line, try to whip us into a frenzy on opening night.

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70

Village Voice Jesse Oxfeld

For Chorus Line fans, though, the documentary--is a singular sensation.

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67

The Onion (A.V. Club) Nathan Rabin

It's a huge improvement over the Attenborough film; given the film’s non-fiction roots, it seems poetically apt that a documentary take is much more satisfying and engaging than the Hollywood treatment.

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67

Austin Chronicle Kimberley Jones

Filmmakers nicely mix the historical and the tributary, honoring both Bennett's cultural landmark and the dancers who dream of joining its ranks.

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50

New Orleans Times-Picayune Mike Scott

Doesn't boast enough universal meaning to make it truly sing.

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50

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

Directors Adam Del Deo and James D. Stern focus primarily on the casting process for the 2006 revival, parading so many personalities past us that we don't really get to know anyone. Bypassing the original for the recreation? That ain't it, kid.

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38

New York Post Kyle Smith

Every Little Step shows only this: It hurts to flunk an audition, and it's nice to get hired. Everything it has to say about Broadway was said better in Bob Fosse's movie "All That Jazz" -- in its opening five minutes.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 7.7 (out of 10) based on 10 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Stephen J gave it a9:
The film is a perfect blend of mixing audio and video clips of the development of the original production (with contemporary interviews with key participants) with a behind-the-scenes look at the casting process for a recent Broadway revival. This segment is doubly-effective because it shows what the musical itself is about: auditioning for a part in a Broadway production, which for many is the dream of a lifetime. And we see how these actors/singers/dancers go through the process of call-backs over many months, and the anguish, and elation, for both them and the producers to find out who will get the parts. If you’re a fan of “A Chorus Line” or maybe even musicals/plays in general, this is a must-see. This is one of my favorite films, new or DVD, of the last several years, including all the regular movies (non-documentaries) I’ve seen.

Jay H gave it a6:
A must for fans of A Chorus Line, but for those who are not really into the show, it does get a bit tiresome. It’s well made and I never lost interest, but I was also never enthralled or really into the documentary.

Bill L gave it a9:
You don't need to be a big fan of musicals, or of A Chorus Line in particular. You will love this film unless you are hugely jealous of people who follow their dreams. This movie makes American Idol and Who Wants to Dance seem like the minor, (very minor) leagues, in terms of talent, heart and desire. I truly loved and respected these performers AND the production team.

Kathy S gave it a10:
Absolutely wonderful, with amazing backstage footage of both the original show and its creators, as well as the cast and directors of the revival. Highly recommended.

Crystal C gave it a5:
I found the insight into professional casting and auditions fascinating, but the movie isn't very well made. It feels dated, and the film making isn't polished.

Frank M gave it a9:
Amazing shots of moments in a, what? eight-month or longer process. Wonderful insight into the audition process but more than that a meta-version of the show itself. Which is about the human experience of having a reason for being -- they just happen to be dancers. Wonderful documentary.

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