SYNOPSIS:

Synopsis: Can You Feel The Beat    This is a story about the life of a teenager named, Bobby Percy.  She is an extraordinary tap dancer who studies, and teaches tap along with her younger sister, Rayne, at Sheryl Jackson’s school of dance.  One day Bobby is told by her mentor, Sheryl Jackson, that she was selected among many young woman to audition for Joey Pierce’s next touring show.  Joey Pierce is the world's most famous tapper, so this audition is the opportunity of a lifetime. Unfortunately, Bobby’s father is vocally against Bobby choosing tap as a career, and is absolutely unsupportive of her efforts.  William  is also distracted as he is having an affair, about which Bobby’s mom, Florence, is unaware, until he leaves the family for his mistress. William's affair, and betrayal of the family, leads Bobby to make poor choices, choices that pull her on a downward spiral, but not far enough that she can’t get out.     Bobby’s best friend at school is Jess; Jess is sort of the wild card. She loves to party, will smoke marijuana, and drink once and a while. She too is a tapper at Sheryl Jackson’s school of dance. The night Bobby finds out her father has left, she calls Jess. Jess then immediately takes her to a party with several boys she herself has just met. It’s at this party where Bobby meets a guy named Rick, who not only introduces her to cocaine, but uses it to rape her. Jess finds Bobby sick in the bathroom, and thinking that Bobby has just drank too much, takes her home.     The misfortunes that Bobby has suffered thus far, lead to further drug abuse. One early evening, Bobby, while at the dance studio rehearsing, indulges in cocaine, and ends up burning herself out.  Rayne, who has arrived at the studio to teach a tap class, finds Bobby curled up on the floor. Bobby tells her sister about the drugs, and the rape. Her concerned sister then accompanies her to the hospital where a rape kit is performed.     Florence, Bobby’s mother, realizes that Bobby has been acting strange lately, so she confronts Rayne. Rayne wants to protect her sister, and decides to keep her secrets from their mother. Florence eventually confronts Bobby, who then breaks down and confesses that she has used cocaine, though she still stays silent about the rape. Florence is absolutely distraught, and ends up calling William, Bobby’s father. William's return home, to talk to his daughter about her drug use, is not only a shock to Bobby, but, unwelcome.     Bobby still has to focus on her audition for Joey Pierce’s touring show in New York, and knows that if she doesn’t convince everyone she is sober, she will lose her chance.  She continues to study with Sheryl Jackson until the big day. Sheryl insists on driving Bobby to New York. Bobby is extremely happy about Sheryl being there.     Sheryl, and Bobby drive to New York, and during the trip Bobby notices that Sheryl has to take medication for something. Sheryl insists that she is fine, and that there is absolutely no cause for concern. Bobby never finds out that Sheryl has a bad heart. Sheryl is like a mother to Bobby, and it is on this trip that Bobby opens up about her rape.   The morning after they arrive, Bobby heads out to pick up some breakfast for herself and Sheryl at the Starbucks not too far from the hotel.  As things sometimes happen, Bobby realizes she cannot pay for breakfast as she has forgotten her wallet in the hotel.  A young man,  Matthew, a musician who is in town from Toronto, overhears her conversation with the cashier, and  offers to pay for her  order.  Meanwhile Sheryl, on realizing that Bobby forgot her wallet  runs in to Starbucks with it. Bobby introduces Sheryl to the handsome Matthew, who we see is smitten by Bobby.    It is now time for the auditions; Sheryl and Bobby are at the Joan’s Centre for the Arts, in downtown New York. This is where the “cattle call” will take place. We see that Bobby has not put the drugs to rest. Bobby is geared and ready to go. Bobby’s name is called. The girls are seen in groups of 5. We meet the other 4 tappers in Bobby’s group, as well as, Joey Pierce himself. We watch snippets of each of the girls dance. Bobby’s number is last. Once Bobby finishes, the judges deliberate, a couple girls are asked to stay, but Bobby is not one of them. Upset, she leaves the room, and as Sheryl and Bobby are about to walk out, Bobby gets a tap on the shoulder. It’s Joey Pierce. He explains that they made a mistake, and that he sees an extreme amount of potential in her, and that he would be willing to work with her, one on one, if she’ll agree to it.     After lunch, Bobby comes back to meet Joey Pierce, and as she enters the room, she sees Matthew. Matthew is the head musician, and composer of the music, to the show...surprise. The 3 of them jam away, and it’s magic.    Back in Toronto, Sheryl takes Bobby to the police. This is where we meet officer Bourdain, the police officer who helps Bobby with her case. Bobby is still afraid to press charges.    Bobby eventually comes clean with her mom, and confesses the rape. With the help of her mother, Bobby finally presses charges, only to find out that days later, Rick has died from an overdose. Later on, Bobby is also presented with the news that she won the part, and will be touring with Bobby Pierce’s tap production.     On a romantic note, Bobby and Matthew have been seeing each other in Toronto. During all this time, Bobby is still dabbling with cocaine.     The next major event in the film; the climax, so to speak, is at the Canadian marketing party for the tap tour. This is obviously held in Toronto. Several life changing experiences occur during this particular night. Rayne, Bobby, and Sheryl have just finished teaching, and are rushing to get ready for the big event. Bobby has promised, Jess that she would take her as her date, so Bobby heads home to meet her.   Rayne, and Sheryl get ready at the studio; Rayne in the studio, and Sheryl in the ladies washroom.   After a moment Rayne walks over to the bathroom to ask Sheryl to help zip  up her dress, and finds Sheryl laying on the floor.     At the party, Rayne is an absolute mess, yet she puts on a brave face for her sister. She intentionally holds the information that Sheryl is in the hospital, and comes up with an excuse to why Sheryl couldn’t be there.  It is Matthew who breaks the news to Bobby, who then hysterically races to the washroom.  Matthew, as much as he wants to, can’t run after her because his name has been called to the stage, and he must perform.     The images cut back and forth from Bobby trying to handle the news in the bathroom stall, to the stage, where Joey Pierce, a 15 piece orchestra, and a plethora of tappers, are performing.  In the stall, we watch Bobby, as she wrestles with whether she should inhale the cocaine or not. This is her life changing moment, and yet maybe predictable, though ever so inspirational, she throws the cocaine in the toilet. Down goes the drugs, out comes a star.     Still a mess, she leaves the washroom, and for a moment, watches the amazing production that is being performed on stage. That is until she is found by an antsy productions assistant, and whisked away, so that she can be prepped for her big number.     Somewhere, Bobby finds the strength, and entertains the crowd like we have never seen before. Even, her father is in the audience cheering her on, who knew? This is a huge show, and it’s the most spectacular part of the film.     After the party, the family, including Matthew, and Jess, race to the hospital, only to hear that Sheryl has passed away.     The next scene is a silent vignette, with a musical background, with everyone gathered at the funeral. Bobby ends the scene by placing her tap shoes on Sheryl’s casket.     Bobby acknowledges that she had a drug problem, and decides to do something about it. She admits herself into a facility for a few months, all the while being visited, and supported by her loved one’s including Matthew. They fall in love, and like the Cinderella story, they get married, and have a baby girl; Joy. Well, I don’t know if Cinderella ever had a baby, but oh well, this is my happy ending, ha-ha.     The movie concludes in Sheryl Jackson’s dance studio, where Bobby, and Matthew are watching Joy tap. She is being taught by a special guest teacher, the one, and only Joey Pierce. The camera pans from the beautiful family, to a magnificent framed photo of Sheryl, which says,” Dreaming is Believing, 1946-2009.”      The End           

FEEL THE BEAT