I Hope You Dance: The Power and Spirit of Song

Originally broadcast on the Hallmark Channel, I Hope You Dance is a touching, inspirational documentary about the making of a song that many people have found healing and motivating during painful times. Half the film concerns the power of music to rally us, whether we're looking for answers or strength or relief from extraordinary challenges. In addition to comments from songwriters Tia Sillers and Mark D. Sanders about creating the titular hit country song, the documentary also features commentary from the song's singer Lee Ann Womack. Also on hand are the late Dr. Maya Angelou (who calls “I Hope You Dance” her favorite song), Vince Gill, Graham Nash (who performs “Teach Your Children”), and Brian Wilson (who plays a bit of “God Only Knows”). The remainder of the film serves up true stories about individuals who found ways to regain hope following tragedy, including grieving parents whose only child died yet lives on, in a sense, through the people who received her organs as transplants. And there is a heartening look at a homeless shelter in Phoenix where clients are learning ballroom dancing—turns out that learning to dance is both a confidence-booster and visibly lifts morale. Recommended. (T. Keogh)