REVIEW
Razzle Dazzle – Make ‘em Laugh, Make ‘em Laugh, Make ‘em Laugh!

Brimming with pointed jabs, subtle swings and performances so dead on you will swear you are watching a true life story, Razzle Dazzle is a hilariously irreverent look into the chaotic, mind-numbing and grotesquely fascinating world of Children’s Competitive Dance in Australia. Amidst overbearing mothers, die-hard rivalries and heated debates over rules and regulations, Writer/Director Darren Ashton manages to fashion a fully nauseating, fully engrossing mockumentary film.

Presented by Film Finance Corporation Australia in association with the New South Wales Film and Television Office, Razzle Dazzle is ironic but understated - a film acting like a documentary with hilarious results. Indebted to the stylish, tongue-in-cheek works of Christopher Guest but aiming for a more genuine tone, Darren Ashton’s film takes off for the heights of success from the perch of rock-solid performances, self-effacing comedy and unaffected directing. 

In the beginning minutes of Razzle Dazzle, we meet Justine (Kerry Armstrong), the domineering mother of star in the making, Tenille (Shayni Notelovitz). A big fish in a small pond, Tenille is the star of Mr. Jonathon’s Dance Academy – a quirky, off-beat dance studio very clearly reflective of Mr. Jonathon (Ben Miller) himself. With his beloved “Jazzketeers” in training for the semi-finals of Australia’s biggest competition, The Sanosafe Troupe Spectacular, Mr. Jonathon is feeling the pressure to produce an eye-catching, mind-tickling and ultimately winning dance number.

His anxiety is well founded as Miss Elizabeth (Jane Hall) is the reigning Sanosafe champion . . . and the polar opposite of Mr. Jonathon in every way imaginable. Running her rival dance studio with an iron fist, Miss Elizabeth’s posse of prepubescent dancers are all stick thin with hair and make-up forever done to perfection. While her dance numbers are overtly sexual and suggestive, turning her technically superior dancers into little more than wannabe chorus showgirls, the routines do get her the trophies.  And that’s all that matters to Miss Elizabeth.

Ultimately, this heated rivalry comes to a predictable but enjoyable head at the finals of the Sanosafe Troupe Spectacular . . . but not before Mr. Jonathon’s self appointed secretary Barbara (Denise Roberts) abducts a rival dancer, new jazzketeer Grace (Clancy Ryan) challenges Tenille for the top spot in Mr. Jonathon’s troupe, the pregnant Paulette (Nadine Garner) struggles to raise Grace after her husband moves in with his gay lover, and tentative sparks begin to fly between Paulette and Mr. Jonathon. A crazy caper that entertains from start to finish, Razzle Dazzle takes a fresh, vibrant and mocking approach to the age-old tale of rivalry, competition and fanaticism.

With an undeniably intriguing story, Razzle Dazzle’s potential for greatness hinges squarely upon the quality of its performances. Fortunately, the film is chock full of talented actors who don’t disappoint. Kerry Armstrong is delightfully wicked as the haughty and imperious Justine. Her performance generates the vast majority of the film’s controversy but Armstrong handles the pressure with ease. Her passive-aggressive attitude is executed to perfection and her belief in Tenille is so deeply entrenched, it’s terrifying.

Ben Miller’s Mr. Jonathon provides a much needed and dependable backbone for the film as his tender affection for his students and his belief in his convictions provide both momentum and structure. Unbiased honesty, coupled with a quick wit and impeccable comedic timing, make Miller simply wonderful to watch.

Jane Hall’s performance as the uptight and successful Miss Elizabeth is flawless, the slightest dip in her perfect and poised countenance screaming volumes. And Nadine Garner’s Paulette is wonderful, effortless, easy and carefree. As the most relatable (normal) character in this crazy world, she handles the trials of her life with grace, confidence . . . and an adorable tendency to run late and lose things. She acts as an impeccable foil for the dynamic energy of Justine and the endearing quirkiness of Mr. Jonathon.

The performances are all the more impressive considering that the scenes were never fully rehearsed or scripted. The young Jazzketeers were coaxed along, encouraged and directed by the adult actors within each scene as the cast lived, breathed and simply existed in each moment of the story. This laid-back directing style creates a vibrant immediacy that allows the film to be undeniably and powerfully real.

With striking choreography courtesy of John O’Connell (Strictly Ballroom, Moulin Rouge, Shall We Dance) and Garry Phillips’ insightful cinematography, this documentary flavored but still very clearly produced film is ultimately as enjoyable as it is well made. And in the razzle dazzle world of entertainment - that’s saying something.