Story
Lauryn Kirk (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) dreams of becoming a dancer like her mother. Unfortunately, the burden of running the family’s garage business with her brother Joel (John Reardon), after the death of both parents, has prevented her from attending dance school. She finally decides she must follow her dreams and leaves her small Indiana town to audition for entry to the Chicago School of Music and Dance. She fails the audition but decides to stay in Chicago and gets a job at Ruby’s, a local nightclub. She begins as a bookkeeper, but when her dancing talents are discovered, she moves onto the stage as a nightclub dancer.
Lauryn begins a relationship with disc jockey Russ (Riley Smith), who encourages her to try out again for the dance school. She has some problems to sort out with Joel. She feels torn between loyalty to him and the business and fulfilling her own ambitions.
Themes
Loss of parents; erotic dancing
Violence
There is some violence in this movie including a scene of verbal abuse between Lauryn and one of the other dancers. This conflict almost turns into a fight.
Content that may disturb children
Under 8
Children in this age group are unlikely to be scared by anything in this film.
From 8-13
Children in this age group are unlikely to be scared by anything in this film.
Over 13
Children in this age group are unlikely to be scared by anything in this film.
Sexual references
None of concern
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
This movie contains some use of substances, including several scenes in which characters drink alcohol in the night club, at home, out of bottles and so on.
Nudity and sexual activity
This movie contains some nudity and sexual activity. For example, characters:
- wear skimpy clothing
- dance provocatively and also strip
- kiss passionately (Lauryn and Russ).
Product placement
None of concern
Coarse language
This movie contains some mild coarse language.
Ideas to discuss with your children
Make it Happen is a dance movie with some great dance sequences, mainly aimed at adolescents. The main message from this movie is that people should follow their dreams.
You might like to discuss the value of loyalty with your children. This movie could also give you the opportunity to discuss the situation of young women employed as nightclub dancers.