Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- earnest
- uplifting
- breezy
- lazy weekend
- dance movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a cheap, predictable, formulaic dance drama with unambitious choreography and little originality.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Lauryn leaves Indiana for Chicago, fails an audition, and works to develop a distinctive dance style for a second chance.
Lauryn continues pursuing dance despite family opposition, financial setbacks, and rejection from the school.
After her car is towed and her plans collapse, Lauryn finds work at a burlesque club and learns from its dancers.
The dance school invites Lauryn to return for another audition after asking her to do something different.
Films like Make It Happen, and why
Save the Last Dance
shared coming-of-age dance training, romantic drama, and female self-determination
Flashdance
shared aspirational dancer protagonist, urban dance setting, and second-chance narrative
Center Stage
shared performance-driven drama, self-discovery, and determined young women pursuing artistic ambitions
Movie Details
- Director
- Darren Grant
- Release Date
- 2008-08-08
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (309)
Cast
- Mary Elizabeth Winstead
- Riley Smith
- John Reardon
- Tessa Thompson
- Ashley Roberts
- Julissa Bermudez
- Karen LeBlanc
- Terry Ray
- Leigh Enns
- Michael Xavier
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Starz Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Make It Happen about?
- An Indiana dancer rebuilds her confidence in Chicago’s nightlife while fighting for a place at a prestigious dance school.
- What is Make It Happen like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Make It Happen as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Make It Happen violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Make It Happen.
- What did critics think of Make It Happen?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a cheap, predictable, formulaic dance drama with unambitious choreography and little originality.
- Which films are like Make It Happen?
- Films with a similar feel include Save the Last Dance, Flashdance, and Center Stage.
- How long is Make It Happen?
- Make It Happen runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch Make It Happen?
- In United States, Make It Happen streams on Starz Apple TV channel.
