'God, I hope I get it!' sing the characters auditioning for a dance part in 'A Chorus Line'; this documentary examines the real-life faces behind that sentiment...
Every Little Step (2009)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:88
Fresh:80
Rotten:8
Average Rating:7.5/10
Consensus: Fascinating and insightful, Every Little Step is a thoroughly engrossing behind the scenes look at Broadway performers.
Theatrical Release:Apr 17, 2009 Limited
Box Office: $1,528,106
Synopsis: After raking in awards at several major film festivals, EVERY LITTLE STEP reaches movie audiences and Broadway fans alike. A film about a musical that is itself about the casting of a musical, the... After raking in awards at several major film festivals, EVERY LITTLE STEP reaches movie audiences and Broadway fans alike. A film about a musical that is itself about the casting of a musical, the documentary takes fans inside the makings of A CHORUS LINE. Much of it focuses on the casting process for the musical’s 2005 revival, though it also takes fans through the show’s many incarnations and to its original inspiration. Back in 1974, choreographer Michael Bennett saw the potential for a spectacular show in the recorded late-night conversations of several stage performers. One year--and a lot of labor--later, A CHORUS LINE premiered to high acclaim, introducing the world to what would turn out to be a timeless work. EVERY LITTLE STEP takes viewers through the next few decades with rare footage and fresh interviews, showing the show’s history unfold in a world filled with war, anxiety, and political change. As casting is done is for the 2005 revival, audiences see how much the times have changed in the light of media outlets like MySpace and AMERICAN IDOL. As viewers get to know the actors behind the production, the realms of theater and reality blur. With its underdog heroes and self-reflexive narrative, A CHORUS LINE is understandably appealing to today’s reality-show audiences. The film is the joint effort of directors James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo, whose backgrounds as theatre producers, filmmakers, and documentarians combine well to create a film that manages to be not only educational but as entertaining as its subject. [More]
Director: James D. Stern, Adam Del Deo
Director: James D. Stern, Adam Del Deo
Producer: James D. Stern, Adam Del Deo
Composer: Jane Antonia Cornish
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Get This Movie
Reviews for Every Little Step
The 96-minute running time passes by much too quickly. Instant likability is the best tag for one of the best documentaries of the year.
This is a film about young dancers desperate for a job auditioning for a show about … young dancers desperate for a job. It’s wonderful.
Filmmakers James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo were deft and clever in the use of cinematic skills for Every Little Step, their new documentary about the musical.
Every Little Step never rises above being a very good showbiz documentary. But it's an engaging tribute to a groundbreaking musical.
Every Little Step is a terrific documentary history lesson about how Michael Bennett rounded up a bunch of New York singing, acting dancers, interviewed them and found out what they 'did for love,' back in January of 1974.
Every Little Step is on firmer ground with the 2006 revival; the filmmakers' great coup was winning the right ..to film the audition process.
You can't judge A Chorus Line by its film version; it's one of the lousiest movie musicals ever. But you can assess the stage original's influence by the wonderful new documentary Every Little Step.
It has its moments, but it doesn't stand up in sheer substance next to the story of A Chorus Line itself.
Fans of choreographer Michael Bennett's blockbuster, which broke new ground when it opened in 1975, will find much to love here.
They want the recognition we all want, and the film persuades you that almost every one of them deserves it.
Some of the documentary's best moments capture the expressions of Avian and his assistants as they are caught unawares by an unexpectedly powerful audition.
It instills an appreciation for the tremendous amount of work and passion that the performers put into their craft.
A bit like watching sausages getting made, but it's fascinating... made from the trenches for people who have no idea what casting looks like.
That ultimate vulnerability of putting it all on the line through and for their art...is the beating heart of Bennett's work and "Every Little Step"'s fine return to it.
Latest News for Every Little Step
November 19, 2009:
Academy Releases Documentary Shortlist ![]()
Awards season is just around the corner, and to prove it, the Academy just released its list of the 15 films still vying for a Documentary Feature Oscar. More...
April 16, 2009:
Critics Consensus: 17 Again Is Sweet And Poignant
This week at the movies, we've got a high school do-over (17 Again, starring Zac Efron and Leslie Mann), some journalistic thrills (State of Play, starring Russell Crowe and... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 24% 24% | G-Force |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 90% 90% | District 9 |
| 86% 86% | 500 Days of Summer |
| 63% 63% | Extract |
| 06% 06% | All About Steve |
| 78% 78% | It Might Get Loud |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Every Little Step at Rotten Tomatoes
- Every Little Step at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

Last week, MSN gave us their top 09 films. Now see what their favorites of the decade are!

Here's a list of the 50 best movies of 2009, according to the good people over at Moviefone.

Hollywood.com takes a stab at determining who in movies will be on Santa's naughty list in 2009.

TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



